Hemangiopericytoma of the temporal bone presenting as a retroauricular mass.

Abstract

An unusual case of a hemangiopericytoma arising from the temporal bone is presented. The patient was noted to have a postauricular mass and was neurologically asymptomatic. A preoperative magnetic resonance image and an angiogram revealed the tumor to be highly vascular. Preoperative embolization facilitated the surgical removal of the tumor by rendering it avascular. Current therapy consists of radical resection of the tumor with postoperative radiation therapy. Patients must be monitored carefully for local recurrence and systemic metastasis.