Zappia J J, Bunge F A, Koopmann C F, McClatchey K D
Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor.
Int J Pediatr Otorhinolaryngol. 1990 Aug;19(3):259-64. doi: 10.1016/0165-5876(90)90005-c.
Leukemic involvement of the temporal bone is not uncommon and may present in a variety of ways including auricular or external canal skin lesions, red or thick tympanic membrane, middle ear effusions, otitis media, hearing loss or mastoiditis. Symptomatic facial nerve involvement, on the other hand, is extremely unusual. We discuss a pediatric patient whose sudden onset facial nerve paresis was the presenting symptom that led to her diagnosis of leukemia. At the time of mastoidectomy, a granulocytic sarcoma or chloroma was noted to be overlying the VIIth nerve.
