Middle ear papilloma.

Papillomas are benign, however locally invasive tumors normally originated in the larynx and nasosinusal tract. These tumors can be described from their specific histological and morphologic characteristics. Recurrence is common if excision is inadequately performed. Tumors with similar histological and biological characteristics may occur less frequently in areas outside the nasosinusal tract such as pharynx, lacrimal sac and middle ear. Middle ear and mastoid involvement is explained by two mechanisms: (1) direct extension from the nasosinusal cavity via the eustachian tube or (2) primary involvement of the middle ear secondary to metaplastic changes to the mucosal lining. As these tumors seldom involve the middle ear, there are no estimates on the incidence of these lesions in this particular site and only a few reports in the literature. This paper aims to report a case of primary middle ear papilloma in a patient with no account of previous nasal disease who evolved to facial palsy. The patient underwent radical mastoidectomy and has been asymptomatic after six months of follow-up.