Heterotopic Pancreas in Middle Ear: A Case Report

Heterotopic pancreas is the congenital presence of pancreatic tissue outside its normal location in the absence of vascular and anatomical connection with the main pancreas. To our knowledge, no case of heterotopic pancreas cyst in the middle ear has been reported to date. In this study, we report the first case of a 6-year-old boy with ectopic pancreas in the area of middle ear. The patient underwent canal wall down mastoidectomy with tympanoplasty. It was finally diagnosed as ectopic pancreas (left middle ear). During the 6-year follow-up, no evidence of recurrence or residual disease in the middle ear cleft or mastoid was found. Heterotopic pancreas in the middle ear is an uncommon condition and may present with otorrhea or aural fullness. Diagnosis is usually straightforward on the histologic evaluation of resection specimen, complemented with immunohistochemistry. Total excision with such lesion is preferred to avoid some complications. Regular follow-up is necessary due to the potential risk of recurrence and malignant transformation.