Giant cell tumour of the temporal bone presenting as vertigo

Abstract

We report a case of giant cell tumour of the temporal bone arising in a 31-year-old man. The presenting symptoms were unusual, being rotational vertigo, unilateral tinnitus, and hearing loss. A computed tomography (CT) scan showed a large mass within the right temporal bone and the infratemporal fossa. The radiological appearance was suggestive of an aggressive primary neoplasm arising within bone. Biopsy and subsequent resection showed a giant cell tumour of bone. The tumour was histological grade 1. At two-year follow-up, there was no evidence of tumour recurrence or metastasis.