Ceruminous gland adenoma of the external auditory canal: A case report

Abstract

Ceruminous gland adenoma is a very rare bening neoplasm of the external auditory canal. This tumour composed of the ceruminous gland cell (modified apocrine sweat glands). We report a case of a 39 year old man who presented with signs of scratching at the left ear. Otoscopic examination revealed an exophytic skin covered smooth nodule 1,2 cm in greatest dimension on the posterior wall of the external auditory canal. Local wide resection of the lesion was performed. Microscopically the lesion composed of oxyphil glands and small cysts in a hyalinized stroma. The glandular epithelium was bilayered. In the immunohistochemical study the luminal cells were strongly positive with CK7 while the basal cells were highlighted with CK5/6, p63 and S100 protein. The diagnosis was ceruminous gland adenoma. Three years later there was no evidence of recurrence. Complete surgical excision is therefore the treatment of choise.