Introduction
Glomus tympanicum is a type of benign tumor classified under a group of tumors known as paragangliomas. Such tumors can occur at any site within the body. It is the most common primary neoplasm of the middle ear, and the second most common tumor of the temporal bone [1]. Most common presentation of a glomus tympanicum is pulsatile tinnitus and conductive hearing loss [2]. Occasionally symptoms may include otalgia or generalize facial pain.
Although these lesions are histologically benign, they tend to be slow growing, locally destructive, spread along the path of least resistance [2].
Glomus tympanicum Glasscock-Jackson classification includes type 1 which is a small mass limited to promontory, type 2 which is tumor completely filling middle ear space, type 3 which is tumor filling middle ear and extending into mastoid, and type 4 which is tumor filling middle ear, extending into mastoid or through tympanic membrane to fill external auditory canal, and may extend anterior to carotid. [3].
In this case report, we highlight an unusual and rare presentation of an extensive glomus tympanicum tumor with a coexisting atticoantral cholesteatoma.