Nuances in transcanal endoscopic approach to benign middle ear tumours in adult patients

Abstract

Background and objective: Minimally invasive surgery of benign middle ear tumours is possible by using the endoscope. The optimal lighting and the broadest vision it offers, allow a transcanal approach to these rare tumours. The objective of this work is to summarise its key points through a case series.

Materials and methods: Retrospective study of benign middle ear tumours that underwent exclusive endoscopic surgery in a third-level adult university hospital between June 2018 and June 2020. Postoperative follow-up was performed by otoendoscopy and audiometry.

Results: Six patients underwent surgery during the study period. Five patients were female and one male, with an average age of 57.8 years (±21.9). Four tumours were in the left ear and 2 in the right ear. These included four tympanic paragangliomas (three type I and one type II), a chorda tympani neuroma, and a congenital cholesteatoma. There were no serious postoperative complications. At present, no tumour recurrence has been found in either case, with a minimum follow-up of 7 months.

Conclusions: The present study adds evidence on the safety and efficacy of endoscopic transcanal ear surgery, as a minimally invasive technique, for the treatment of benign middle ear tumours confined to the tympanic cavity.

Keywords: Benign middle ear tumours; Chorda tympani schwannoma; Cirugía endoscópica de oído; Cirugía transcanal; Colesteatoma congénito; Congenital cholesteatoma; Endoscopic ear surgery; Glomus timpánico; Glomus tympanicum; Neurinoma de cuerda de tímpano; Transcanal surgery; Tumores benignos de oído medio.