Mariko Matsumoto

A Case of Slow-Growing Glomus Tympanicum Tumor

A slow glowing glomus tympanicum tumor was found and surgically removed in a 69-year-old man. He initially consulted an ENT clinic complaining of fullness of the ear and tinnitus in 1997. Red tinge of the eardrum caused by an intratympanic tumor was noted at that time. Though the signs and symptoms had not deteriorated, the patient was referred to our clinic on suspicion of the glomus tumor 8 years later in 2005. A soft tissue density mass measuring 2.5mm was found on the promontory on 2mm thick axial CT image but hearing and tympanometry remained normal. In April 2006, the tumor was successfully removed from the promontory without any residual complications. Histological and immuno-histochemical study confirmed the diagnosis. The natural history and the growth rate of the tumor are discussed.

Longitudinal Median Sternotomy for Extirpation of Cervical Tumors Extended to the Upper Mediastinum

The cervical tumor observed in five cases extending to the upper mediastinum was extirpated in our department by using a combination of a neck dissection and a longitudinal median sternotomy.These tumors were originated from thyroid,thymus,and cervical nerve. The longitudinal median sternotomy is a useful approach to the upper mediastinum in order to keep a good operation view,to decrease bleeding volume,and to shorten operation time. Therefore,this approach should be adapted more for the extirpation of cervical tumor which extends to the upper mediastinum and for a mediastinal dissection.