Meningioma in the Middle Ear; A Case Report

Meningioma involving the middle ear is very rare, but it can be either a primary tumor or an extension of an intracranial tumor. A 41-year-old female with middle ear meningioma treated surgically was followed for one year with no evidence of recurrence. A review of the literature on middle ear meningioma stresses, the following points: 1. The possibility of meningioma should be considered as well as more common disorders of that area whenever a tumor presents in the middle ear. 2. Electron microscopy may aid in the differentiation of meningioma from chemodectoma and schwannoma. 3. Because of the slow growth and insidious spread of meningioma within and around the temporal bone, follow-up CT scans should be performed periodically for at least 10 years to rule out residual disease and intracranial extension.