Background: Desmoid tumours (aggressive fibromatosis) are rare, locally invasive, benign tumours. The following case represented a diagnostic challenge, because of the uncommon nature of the lesion.
Case report: A 26-year-old woman, who had previously undergone middle-ear surgery for cholesteatoma, presented with a painful swelling involving the post-auricular area and the conchal bowl. Initially, it was believed to be an infective process related to the surgery or an unusual cholesteatoma recurrence. Following investigations, which involved imaging and histology, the swelling was diagnosed as a desmoid tumour, and the patient received chemotherapy.
Conclusion: Two incidences of paediatric desmoid tumours affecting the ear have been described in the literature, but there is no previous report of a desmoid tumour related to ear surgery. Desmoid tumours have, however, been reported following trauma, including surgery.
Keywords: Diagnosis; Medical Imaging; Middle Ear; Otology; Pathology; Radiology; Surgery.