Middle ear adenoma with neuroendocrine differentiation (MEA-ND) in the pediatric population

Middle ear adenoma with neuroendocrine differentiation is an uncommon tumor of the tympanic cavity. The terminology of this entity has suffered due to a poor understanding of the differentiation of these neoplasms, and has included both "adenoma" as well as "carcinoid tumor." Immunohistochemical techniques have helped clarify that these tumors all share elements of neuroendocrine differentiation. Occurrences of this tumor in the pediatric population are extremely rare. In the world literature, only three pediatric cases of middle ear adenoma with neuroendocrine differentiation have been described. We report the youngest case to date of middle ear adenoma with neuroendocrine differentiation, in a 13-year-old boy. We discuss the differential diagnosis, surgical management, and pathology of this entity. (C) 2009 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.