[Inflammations and tumors of the temporal bone]

The term 'inflammation of the middle ear' covers a couple of diseases which range from the acute otitis media to the middle ear cholesteatoma. However, a clear characterization of a certain pathology is essential for any further treatment. Therefore this article presents a short overview about the different types of infections and their clinical manifestation. The tumors of the temporal bone show a great variety in their incidence. Even if tumors like the acoustic neurinoma or the paraganglioma are comparatively common, the chondroblastoma of the temporal bone is absolutely rare. In spite of these differences the individual temporal bone neoplasias are shortly mentioned herein.