Lymphangioma of the middle ear and mastoid simulating chronic otitis media with effusion

Lymphangiomas are benign congenital malformations of the lymphatic system. Middle ear lymphangioma is extremely rare entity. A 14-year-old male patient with otitis media with effusion, which was previously diagnosed to be middle ear and mastoid lymphangioma, was treated. There were no cerebrospinal fluid fistula, solitary mass, and meningitis findings. All properties of chronic otitis media with effusion were present in that case. This case is unique with these clinical properties. Middle ear and/or mastoid lymphangioma should be remembered in the differential diagnosis of chronic middle ear effusions. (C) 2010 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.