An En plaque Meningioma of the Temporal Bone, Complicating with a Cholesteatoma, Chronic Otitis Media and an Intracranial Abscess

An En plaque Meningioma of the Temporal Bone, Complicating with a Cholesteatoma, Chronic Otitis Media and an Intracranial Abscess

Riste Saat*, Laura J. Lempinen, Anu Laulajainen-Hongisto, Antti Markkola and Jussi Jero

Abstract: We describe an initially misdiagnosed case of a meningioma en plaque of the temporal bone. The tumor had obliterated the external ear canal, induced a chronic inflammation and a cholesteatoma of the external and middle ear, and complicated with an external fistula and intracranial abscess formation. Massive bone involvement and scarce soft tissue component of the skull base meningioma en plaque often pose differential diagnostic challenges in imaging. We hereby review some typical CT and MRI characteristics that could help making the correct diagnosis.