A Case of Hamartoma in Middle Ear Misconceived as a Congenital Cholesteatoma

Abstract

Hamartomas are malformations resulting in an inappropriate overgrowth of normal adult tissue. They are composed of an abnormal mixture of tissues indigenous to their site of origin. Hamartomas are usually found in the lung, liver, kidney and spleen but are rarely seen in head and neck areas. Symptoms vary according to their location and surgical resection is recommended to relieve the symptoms. We experienced a case of hamartoma in the middle ear which was misconceived as congenital cholesteatoma, and report it with a review of the related literature.