Only a few cases of plasmacytoma developed in head and neck area, described in the world literature. This is to report a rare case of extramedullary plasmacytoma manifesting as a large jugular tumor.
A 53-year-male complained with left-side hearing loss and intermittent pulsatile tinnitus about 8 months ago. Pure tone audiometry showed left profound hearing loss. Temporal bone computed tomography and skull base magnetic resonance image tests showed destructive mass centered at the jugular foramen with ipsilateral multiple cervical lymphadenopathy. Clinically, a patient was suspected jugular tumor with intracranial extension. But plasmacytoma was confirmed by external auditory canal biopsy. The patient was treated with local radiotherapy. In 8 months after radiotherapy, a tumor mass decreased in size and celluarity which was proven by follow-up image. Based our experience if a jugular foramen tumor is suspected, a biopsy for pathologic investigation is necessary,whenever available, in order to distinguish the non-surgical group such as extramedullary plasmacytoma. However, it is important to rule out facial nerve schwannoma from image because biopsy may induce facial nerve palsy |