Tumors arising from the external ear canal are extremely rare. Exostosis and squamous cell carcinomas are the most commonly-encountered benign and malignant tumors, respectively. Tubular adenoma (TA), also named as tubular apocrine adenoma, tubular syringoadenoma, or tubulopapillary hidradenoma [1, 2], was first reported as a new entity by Landry and Winkelmann in 1972 [3]. Since then, less than one hundred cases of tubular adenoma were reported in the English literature [4]. This type of rare tumors was reported at the scalp, extremity, and eyelid [5]. Tubular adenoma originated in the external auditory canal was first reported by Lee and his colleague in 2005 [6]. In Lee's report, he described a tubular apocrine adenoma with syringocystadenoma papilliferum. Here we described the first case of a lipomatous tubular adenoma with syringocystadenoma papilliferum arising from the external auditory canal.

A 25-year-old male was referred for hearing impairment and discharge on and off from left ear for a period of time. Family history is unremarkable and laboratory data is with normal limit. Pure tone audiometry evaluation was arranged and conductive hearing loss of left ear was identified. A mass noted in the left external auditory canal. High resolution computed tomography showed an approximately 0.8 × 0.6 cm soft tissue mass occupying within the left external ear canal near the opnening, without eroding canal wall. Tumor excision was performed and the resected tumor was submitted for pathological examination. The patient recovered uneventfully without evidence of recurrence nine months after operation.

TA is a rare entity and sometimes occurs with SCAP. SCAP was previously reported to be often associated with pre-existing nevus sebaceous [7], and morphologic features of nevus sebaceous seldom existed in SCAP with TA [1]. No nevus sebaceous is seen in our case. Controversy about the relationship of TA and SCAP still exists. TA was considered as a minor variant of SCAP by some scholars [8], but others have suggested that TA is a distinct clinical entity [7]. In Kazakov's recently published study, 67 cases of TA, SCAP, and their lookalikes were assessed by four dermatopathologists. Only 29 cases got concurrent agreement and interobserver variation existed in other 38 cases.

TA or SCAP was reported to have certain relationship with human papillomavirus infection [9] and a human papillomavirus induced non-neoplastic process leading to TA or SCAP was also speculated by some authors [1]. Warty surface or koilocytotic feature is not seen in our case.

Immunohistochemical study may be useful in puzzling cases. S-100 protein was reported to be detected in the peripheral myoepithelial cells in the TA and failed to be present in the SCAP [7, 10], which was consistent with the immunohistochemical results of our presented case.

Treatment of LTA with SCAP includes careful preoperative evaluation and surgical resection with safe margin. Computed tomography is useful in evaluating the tumor and surrounding tissue.

Our case shows the characteristic SCAP and TA with abundant adipocytes in the upper and the deeper portion, respectively. In a thorough research for PUBMED, this is the first reported case with LTA and SCAP occurring in the external auditory canal. Although Lee at al [6] published the first case of TA occurring in the external auditory canal, but abundant adipocytes are mixed with fibrous tissue in the stroma of TA in our case, and this kind of morphologic presentation has not yet reported in the external auditory canal.

Written informed consent was obtained from the patient for publication of this Case report and any accompanying images. A copy of the written consent is available for review by the Editor-in-Chief of this journal