"Giant cell reparative tumor: An exceptional differential diagnosis for a lytic lesion of the temporal bone".

BACKGROUND AND IMPORTANCE: Giant cell reparative granuloma is a very rare benign osteolytic lesion. It typically arises in the mandible and rarely involves the skull.

CLINICAL PRESENTATION: A 25-year-old male was admitted in August 2002 for a painless left preauricular mass of several months duration. CT scan revealed an osteolytic extradural lesion located in the temporal bone, with extension to infratemporal fossa. We performed a surgical partial resection of the tumour via a frontotemporal approach. At 36 months after surgery, the lesion continued growth and subsequently we decided to perform a preauricular infratemporal approach. After a ten year-follow-up, the patient remained asymptomatic and a small tumour remnant was visible and stable.

CONCLUSION: Giant cell reparative granulomas that originate from the temporal bone are exceptional. There are no typical radiological features of this disease. Diagnosis is confirmed by analysis of the surgical specimen. Tumor growth requires surgical resection.