Meningoencephalocele of the Temporal Bone Repaired with a Free Temporalis Muscle Flap — Case Report

Meningoencephalocele of the temporal bone is rare and may be misdiagnosed. Excision and repair with a flap are often necessary. A 26-year-old woman with meningoencephalocele complained of aural fullness and tinnitus in the right ear for 10 years. Right side hearing impairment and intermittent otalgia were also noted. Examination showed a smooth mass originating in the posterior bony wall of the ear canal almost filling the external auditory canal. An audiogram revealed right side conductive hearing loss. High-resolution computed tomography of the temporal bone showed a defect in the tegmen, and soft tissue occupying the mastoid cavity, middle ear and ear canal. The patient underwent surgery to remove the tumor via a transmastoid approach. The tegmen was repaired with a multilayered technique using temporalis mucle, gelform, tissue glue and fascia. The postoperative course was smooth and her hearing improved with a normal air-bone gap.