Chondrosarcoma of the temporal bone.

Chondrosarcoma of the temporal bone is a rare disease, with only 36 cases of this tumor having been reported in the English language literature. We report the case of a 52-year-old woman with myxoid chondrosarcoma of the temporal bone whose only symptom was progressive hearing loss. The tumor was removed using aspiration, mastoidectomy and tympanotomy, with retention of the jugular bulb. No recurrence has been noted 45 months after the operation. Diagnosis was established from histological examination of the surgical specimens. The clinical characteristics and management of this rare lesion are discussed.