Middle Ear Carcinoid Adenoma
Main Article Content
Keywords
Adenoma, carcinoid, middle ear
Abstract
Primary neoplasms of the middle ear are rare and even more so is the middle ear adenoma. It is stated that the tumor originates from undifferentiated endodermal stem cells that are present in the mucosa. Carcinoid adenoma is compromised of two cell types; exocrine and neuroendocrine cells, the latter are able to release neuropeptides and granulations that can be detected in immunohistochemistry. Most cases present with vague symptoms of the otologic sphere, being less common the systemic manifestations of carcinoid syndrome. There is no physical examination or characteristic imaging pattern. Differential diagnosis must be done with cholesteatoma and other middle ear tumors. The definitive diagnosis is anatomopathological and the treatment of choice is surgery given the local destructive potencial. Two cases of middle ear carcinoid adenoma are presented in this article.