Paraganglioma of External Auditory Canal

Abstract

Paragangliomas (PGLs) are benign tumors of neuroectodermal origin. In the ear, they are commonly found in the middle ear or jugular bulb. PGL of external auditory canal (EAC) is extremely rare. To date, only a few cases of PGL of EAC have been reported. Here, we present a case of a 52-year-old female, who presented with complaints of decreased hearing and painful left ear discharge. On evaluation, she was found to have a soft-tissue mass arising from the posterosuperior wall of the left EAC, which was excised under general anesthesia and histopathologically confirmed to be EAC PGL. At 1 year of follow-up, the patient has a patent EAC and is disease-free. Although rare, PGL should be considered in the differential diagnosis of soft-tissue mass in EAC.