Both neoplasm and infections arising from the external auditory canal (EAC) can involve the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) but rarely the reverse. A benign TMJ mass that presents as an EAC mass is a rare otologic entity as only seven cases have been reported worldwide. The authors experienced a 72-year-old male patient presenting with EAC mass with fluctuation when opening the mouth, which turned out to be caused by venous malformation of the TMJ. Surgical excision of the mass via endaural approach was successful. We present this case with a review of the literature.
Aged ; Constriction, Pathologic ; Ear Canal ; Humans ; Male ; Mouth ; Temporomandibular Joint ; Vascular Malformations ; Veins

Both neoplasm and infections arising from the external auditory canal (EAC) can involve the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) but rarely the reverse. A benign TMJ mass that presents as an EAC mass is a rare otologic entity as only seven cases have been reported worldwide. The authors experienced a 72-year-old male patient presenting with EAC mass with fluctuation when opening the mouth, which turned out to be caused by venous malformation of the TMJ. Surgical excision of the mass via endaural approach was successful. We present this case with a review of the literature.