Aural metastasis from a nasal malignant melanoma: case report with literature review

Abstract

To raise awareness of nasal malignant melanoma, a rare tumour, and to highlight the difficulty associated with its optimum management. Case report and literature review. A 71-year-old, Caucasian man was diagnosed with malignant melanoma in the right nasal cavity, after presenting with right-sided epistaxis. He underwent endoscopic medial maxillectomy; histological analysis confirmed that the resection margins were clear. However, within six months he re-presented with a metastatic deposit of malignant melanoma in his right external auditory canal, for which he underwent right temporal bone resection. There was no evidence of distant metastasis on radiological studies. Unfortunately, within a month the tumour recurred in the right nasopharynx. A multidisciplinary team decision was made to offer the patient palliative chemoradiotherapy. Mucosal malignant melanoma of the nose is very rare, and aural metastasis from this primary site has not previously been reported. Optimum management must involve a multidisciplinary team.