Fibrolipoma of the eustachian ostium

BMJ Case Rep. 2013 Feb 25:2013:bcr2013008794. doi: 10.1136/bcr-2013-008794.

Abstract

Nasopharyngeal fibrolipoma is extremely rare, with only four case reports in the literature. However, lipoma of the eustachian tube is the rarest with a single case report in the literature. A 50-year-old woman presented with obstruction of both nostrils for the past 1 year. CT scan showed a mass in the postnasal space extending from the right side of the nasopharynx to the oropharynx. The nasal endoscopy found a polypoidal mass arising from the posterior-inferior margin of the right eustachian tube ostium and extending to the oropharynx. Histopathological examination of the excised polyp found features suggestive of fibrolipoma. Fibrolipoma is characterised by prominent bundles of mature collagenous or myxocollagenous stroma intermixed with mature adipocytes. CT is useful in the diagnosis of lipoma but MRI is preferable. This is the second case of eustachian tube fibrolipoma to be reported in the literature that emphasises the role of nasal endoscopy and rarity of this tumour.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Ear Neoplasms / diagnosis*
  • Eustachian Tube*
  • Female
  • Fibroma / diagnosis*
  • Humans
  • Lipoma / diagnosis*
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging / methods*
  • Middle Aged
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed