Korean J Otolaryngol-Head Neck Surg.  2007 Feb;50(2):98-101.

Clinical Analysis of External Auditory Canal Cholesteatoma

• Kim HS
• Park YH

Abstract

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES
External auditory canal cholesteatoma is an uncommon form of cholesteatoma. It usually affects elderly people and is presented with chronic otorrhea and dull otalgia. The aim of this article is to analyze clinical manifestations and methods of treatment of external auditory canal cholesteatoma.
SUBJECTS AND METHOD
A total of 16 cases with cholesteatoma of external auditory canal were reviewed retrospectively from March of 2002 to August of 2005. Diagnosis was made by physical examination, radiologic findings, operative findings, and pathologic findings.
RESULTS
Common symptoms of external auditory cholesteatoma were otorrhea, otalgia, hearing impairment, tinnitus, and aural fullness. Most cases were involved in the posterior and inferior part of external auditory canal. Conservative treatment with local debridement and dressing were performed in 12 cases and surgical treatment including mastoidectomy, canaloplasty and tympanoplasty were performed in 4 cases. No recurrence was found during the follow-up period.
CONCLUSION
Cholesteatoma of the external auditory canal is a rare disease which can develop into widespread destruction of the ear canal. Treatment is based on removing cholesteatoma depending on the extent of disease.

Keyword

Cholesteatoma; External auditory canal

MeSH Terms

Aged
Bandages
Cholesteatoma*
Debridement
Diagnosis
Ear Canal*
Earache
Follow-Up Studies
Hearing Loss
Humans
Physical Examination
Rare Diseases
Recurrence
Retrospective Studies
Tinnitus
Tympanoplasty