Myoepithelial carcinoma of the temporal muscle: a rare entity presenting in an unusual location

Abstract

We present the first-ever description of a myoepithelial carcinoma arising in the temporal muscle. A 54-year-old fireman presented with a 3-month history of a lump in the right temporal region. Imaging reported a 3 cm lesion in the temporal muscle, eroding the cranial vault. The patient underwent en bloc resection of the lesion, along with overlying skin, dura mater resection, and craniectomy. Duraplasty, cranium reconstruction with mesh, and an anterolateral thigh fasciocutaneous free flap were performed for reconstruction. Adjuvant radiation therapy was administered. An anatomopathological analysis reported a myoepithelial carcinoma of the temporal muscle with dura mater invasion.

Keywords

• Malignant myoepithelioma. Myoepithelial carcinoma. Anterolateral thigh flap. Head and neck cancer.