The most common malignant tumor of the middle ear is squamous cell carcinoma.
Glomus jugulare is the most common benign tumor of the middle ear.
Glomus Tumors
During the embryological stage, paraganglia cells migrate into the sympathetic ganglia.
Paraganglioma (glomus tumor) is a neuroendocrine tumor arising from extra-adrenal paraganglia cells.
Sometimes they are functional and can release noradrenaline and dopamine.
Glomus Tympanicum
Originates from the tympanic branch of the glossopharyngeal nerve (Jacobson's nerve)
A pulsatile red lesion is seen behind the tympanic membrane.
The patient had pulsatile tinnitus
Glomus Jugulare
It originates from paraganglia cells in the adventitia of the jugular bulb.
The tumor grows by eroding the temporal bone
Pulsatile tinnitus is prominent among the vascular structure of the tumor.
If it is opened to the middle ear, it appears as a blue colored lesion behind the tympanic membrane.
Tumors may enlarge and cause jugular foramen syndrome (involvement of IX, X, and XI)
It may rarely involve VII and XII.
Carotid Body Tumors ( Glomus Caroticum )
It originates from the bifurcation of the common carotid artery.
The most common glomus tumor of the head and neck region
Separates the carotid interna and externa
While they are mobile in the lateral direction, they do not move up-down (cranio-caudal) direction.
Vagal Paraganglioma (Glomus Vagale)
It arises from paraganglionic cells in the perineurium of the vagal nerve.
Since the nerve usually has to be cut during surgery, the patient develops vocal cord paralysis after surgery
Glomus jugulare is the most common benign tumor of the middle ear.
Glomus Tumors
During the embryological stage, paraganglia cells migrate into the sympathetic ganglia.
Paraganglioma (glomus tumor) is a neuroendocrine tumor arising from extra-adrenal paraganglia cells.
Sometimes they are functional and can release noradrenaline and dopamine.
Glomus Tympanicum
Originates from the tympanic branch of the glossopharyngeal nerve (Jacobson's nerve)
A pulsatile red lesion is seen behind the tympanic membrane.
The patient had pulsatile tinnitus
Glomus Jugulare
It originates from paraganglia cells in the adventitia of the jugular bulb.
The tumor grows by eroding the temporal bone
Pulsatile tinnitus is prominent among the vascular structure of the tumor.
If it is opened to the middle ear, it appears as a blue colored lesion behind the tympanic membrane.
Tumors may enlarge and cause jugular foramen syndrome (involvement of IX, X, and XI)
It may rarely involve VII and XII.
Carotid Body Tumors ( Glomus Caroticum )
It originates from the bifurcation of the common carotid artery.
The most common glomus tumor of the head and neck region
Separates the carotid interna and externa
While they are mobile in the lateral direction, they do not move up-down (cranio-caudal) direction.
Vagal Paraganglioma (Glomus Vagale)
It arises from paraganglionic cells in the perineurium of the vagal nerve.
Since the nerve usually has to be cut during surgery, the patient develops vocal cord paralysis after surgery