Occult parotid involvement in early-stage squamous cell carcinoma of the external auditory canal

Abstract

Background: The importance of elective parotidectomy in early-stage squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the external auditory canal (EAC) is not well established.

Methods: A retrospective study of 43 patients with early-stage SCC of the EAC who underwent parotidectomy in conjunction with lateral temporal bone resection at three centers.

Results: Overall occult parotid involvement (OPI) rate in early-stage SCC of the EAC was 13.9% (6/43). When considering both the anteroposterior position and the bony-cartilaginous position, patients with SCC in both the anterior wall and cartilaginous portion exhibited significantly higher OPI than other locations (37.5% vs. 0%, p = 0.001), with an increase in the OPI predictive value.

Conclusion: SCC located in either the anterior wall of the EAC or the cartilaginous portion of the EAC or both simultaneously showed a high prevalence of OPI, and elective parotidectomy should be considered in those patients.