Granulation Tissue mimicking a Glomus Tumor in a Patient with Chronic Middle Ear Infection

• Main Authors: Kimberly Mae C. Ong, Patrick John P. Labra, Rosario R. Ricalde, Criston Van C. Manasan, Jose M. Carnate
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Philippine Society of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Inc. 2016-11-01
• Series: Philippine Journal of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery
• Subjects: tinnitus, pulsatile; otitis media, suppurative; glomus tympanicum
• Online Access: https://pjohns.pso-hns.org/index.php/pjohns/article/view/233
• ISSN: 1908-4889; 2094-1501

Objective: To present an unusual cause of pulsatile tinnitus, presenting in a young adult suffering from chronic recurrent foul-smelling discharge from the same ear. Methods: Study Design:            Case report Setting:                       Tertiary National University Hospital Patient:                       One   Results: A 24-year old woman presented with pulsatile tinnitus on a background of chronic recurrent foul-smelling discharge. Clinico-radiologic findings seemed consistent with a glomus tympanicum coexisting with chronic suppurative otitis media with cholesteatoma. She underwent tympanomastoidectomy with excision of the mass. Histopathologic evaluation revealed the mass to be granulation tissue. Conclusion: Pulsatile tinnitus is rarely associated with chronic middle ear infection. Granulation tissue arising at the promontory may mimic glomus tumors when accompanied with this symptom. Despite this revelation, it would still be prudent to prepare for a possible glomus tumor intraoperatively, so that profuse bleeding and complications may be avoided. Keywords: tinnitus, pulsatile; otitis media, suppurative; glomus tympanicum