Angiofibroma of the external auditory canal: a rare case with literature review

Abstract

Angiofibromas represent <1% of all head and neck tumors and occur primarily in the nasopharynx. Extra-nasopharyngeal angiofibromas are rarer. Remarkably, only a case of external auditory canal location has been reported. We present a case of an angiofibroma in this unique location in a female who presented with fullness of right ear and hypoacusis for 6 months. The clinical examination found a mass in the right external auditory canal attached to the posterosuperior wall. Preoperative audiometry revealed average right conductive hearing loss of 37.5 dB. A computed tomography scan revealed a mass on the right external auditory canal. Surgical resection of the mass was performed and the histopathological assessment confirmed the diagnosis. Post-operative audiometry showed an improvement in hearing function. There was no recurrence after 5 years. The prognosis of these tumors is good after total bloc resection.