Capillary Haemangioma: A Rare Vascular Tumour of the External Auditory Canal

Abstract

Haemangiomas are relatively common in the head and neck region, but cases in the temporal bone are rare. Hemangioma of the external auditory canal (EAC) is a rare otologic entity. Up till now (till 2013), only 18 cases of hemangioma EAC have been reported in the English literature. It is commonly classified as capillary or cavernous hemangioma. According to the literature, this case represents the fourth patient with capillary hemangioma of the EAC. A 22-year-old male presented to our department with a 3 years history of right-sided aural fullness, mild pain and decreased hearing. There was no history of ear discharge, pulsatile tinnitus, vertigo and local trauma. Otomicroscopic and otoendoscopic examination revealed a smooth surface, reddish pulsatile mass arising from the right postero-superior portion of bony canal wall, which measured about 1 cm in diameter, obstructing 2/3rd of the EAC. The tympanic membrane was not seen. No facial nerve dysfunction was observed. Patient had moderate conductive hearing loss in right ear on audiology. HRCT temporal bone showed soft tissue mass involving the right EAC and middle ear. The lesion was excised via a postaural approach under general anesthesia. The tumor was a reddish, soft mass and measured 1.6 9 1.7 9 2.8 cm. The histopathologic assessment indicated a capillary hemangioma.

Cavernous Hemangioma of the External Auditory Canal in Patients Older than 60 Years: A Rare Tumor

“…Hemangioma is a benign vascular soft tissue tumor [1][2][3][4][5] and the most common soft tissue tumor in children. 2 More than 60% of hemangiomas occur in the head and neck region, but they are rare in the EAC.…”

“…2 More than 60% of hemangiomas occur in the head and neck region, but they are rare in the EAC. [2][3][4][5][6] In 1982, Mulliken and Glowacki developed a system of classification that divided vascular tumors into 2 categories, hemangioma and vascular malformation. [5][6][7] Hemangioma is a common vascular tumor characterized by increased numbers of vessels filled with blood.…”

“…[2][3][4][5][6] In 1982, Mulliken and Glowacki developed a system of classification that divided vascular tumors into 2 categories, hemangioma and vascular malformation. [5][6][7] Hemangioma is a common vascular tumor characterized by increased numbers of vessels filled with blood. 7 The incidence of hemangioma is 1% to 2.6% at birth and 10% in the first year of life.…”

“…8 Histopathologically, hemangiomas are classified into capillary hemangioma, cavernous hemangioma, and mixed hemangioma. 2,5 Capillary hemangiomas consist of capillary-like channels and occur in infants more frequently and regress spontaneously before the age of 5 or 6 years. In contrast, cavernous hemangiomas consist of large cavernous vascular spaces and occur after the sixth decade of life.…”

“…Vascular malformations are correlated with infection, trauma, ligation, attempted excision, and changes in serum hormone levels. 5,6 Hemangiomas comprise 7% of all benign tumors in infants and young children. 7 However, hemangiomas of the EAC, tympanic membrane, and middle ear are rare.…”