Carcinoid of the middle ear

Objectives: Case report on a primary carcinoid tumour of the middle ear. Patient and Methods: We present the case of a 29-year-old woman, who noted progressive hearing loss and pain in the left ear. Examination showed a yellowish mass behind an intact tympanic membrane. At surgery, the tumour was seen to surround the ossicular chain. The tumour was removed, the ossicular chain was kept intact. Histopathologic examination revealed a carcinoid tumour. Results and Conclusions: There is no evidence of recurrence 34 months later. Therefore, resection of the ossicles does not seem to be necessary in each case.