Facial paralysis caused by metastasis of breast carcinoma to the temporal bone

J Chin Med Assoc. 2004 Nov;67(11):587-90.

Abstract

Metastatic tumors to the temporal bone are very rare. The most common sites of origin of temporal bone metastases are breast, lung, kidney, gastrointestinal tract, larynx, prostate gland, and thyroid gland. The pathogenesis of spread to the temporal bone is most commonly by the hematogenous route. The common otologic symptoms that manifest with facial nerve paralysis are often thought to be due to a mastoid infection. Here is a report on a case of breast carcinoma presenting with otalgia, otorrhea, and facial paralysis for 2 months. The patient was initially diagnosed as mastoiditis, and later the clinical impression was revised to metastatic breast carcinoma to temporal bone, based on the pathologic findings. Metastatic disease should be considered as a possible etiology in patients with a clinical history of malignant neoplasms presenting with common otologic or vestibular symptoms, especially with facial nerve paralysis.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Bone Neoplasms / diagnosis
  • Bone Neoplasms / diagnostic imaging
  • Bone Neoplasms / metabolism*
  • Breast Neoplasms / complications
  • Breast Neoplasms / diagnosis
  • Breast Neoplasms / pathology*
  • Combined Modality Therapy
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Earache / etiology
  • Facial Paralysis / etiology*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Mastoiditis / diagnosis
  • Neoplasm Metastasis
  • Temporal Bone / diagnostic imaging
  • Temporal Bone / pathology*
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed
  • Treatment Outcome