The histopathological findings in the temporal bone of a 61-year-old male with Garcin syndrome due to nasopharyngeal cancer are reported. The patient complained of unilateral disturbance of the second to twelveth cranial nerves, except for the olfactory nerve. Approximately three months prior to death, the results of his audiogram demonstrated deafness.
The unilateral temporal bone was destroyed by extensive invasion at the petrous apex, tympanic cavity and mastoid air cells. In addition, the internal auditory canal showed tumor cell infiltration and hemorrhage. The facial and cochleovestibular nerves were also completely replaced by tumor cells and hemorrhage. Although the sensory organs of the cochlear, vestibule and semicircular canals were destroyed, tumor cells were not found in the membranous labyrinth.
It was thought that audiometric and vestibular dysfunctions, and facial nerve palsy were caused by severe infiltration of tumor cells into the internal auditory canal.