Malignant Melanoma of the Temporal Bone Initially Presenting with Dizziness

Abstract

Malignant melanoma of the temporal bone is a very rare disease. We report here a case of malignant melanoma of the temporal bone initially presenting as dizziness. The patient was a 48-yearold man presenting with dizziness. Physical examination showed horizontal nystagmus toward the left on the left lateral gaze and an intact tympanic membrane. Caloric tests demonstrated right-sided unilateral weakness. Vestibular neuritis was suspected, and conservative treatment was thus carried out. On follow-up, other symptoms were noted and the tumor of the temporal bone was diagnosed by computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging of the temporal bone. This case shows that if the dizziness symptom is not improved after conservative management in patients who present with vestibular neuritis, an imaging evaluation could be necessary, taking into consideration the possibility of a tumor in the temporal bone.