Treatment of tympanic paraganglioma by underwater endoscopic transcanal coblation: A case report and literature review

Tympanic paraganglioma (TP) is a type of rare and benign tumor that is mostly confined within the tympanic cavity. As it is rich in vascular vessels, it is a great challenge to control haemorrhage during the conventional microscopic surgery. Here we report the case of a 59-year-old female patient who was diagnosed with TP after several tests. The patient underwent a surgical treatment by underwater endoscopic transcanal coblation excision of TP. Follow-up examinations revealed that the hearing of the affected ear rapidly restored to normal level post the operation, and no residual TP inside the tympanic chamber. Compared to the conventional microscopic surgery program, the otoendoscopy provided surgeons with a wider and clearer field of view, and the plasma knife enabled more space for operation. This report thus proved that the underwater endoscopic transcanal coblation is a safe and effective surgical method for resection of TP, and it is worth advocating in the future clinical practice.