A Misleading Dark Pigmented Mass of the External Auditory Canal in a Child

Tumors arising in the external auditory canal (EAC) are uncommon. Their dark color has to rule out the diagnosis of melanoma. We report the case of a 10-year old patient presented with a dark pigmented tumor within EAC. Otoscopic examination revealed a black mass arising from the posterior wall of the EAC. Surgical removal of the tumor was performed through transcanal endoscopic approach under general anesthesia. Histopathological examination revealed the presence of black pigments from a mineral foreign body. The differential diagnosis of dark pigmented tumors located within the EAC are discussed.

Keywords: External ear canal, tumor, melanoma, foreign body, endoscopy, surgery.