Korean J Otolaryngol-Head Neck Surg.  2004 Apr;47(4):383-386.

Congenital Cholesteatoma Presenting as a Post-Auricular Fistula

• Ban JH
• Yun JH
• Jin SM
• Kwon KH

Abstract

Congenital middle ear cholesteatoma is a keratinizing squamous epithelial cyst that classically presents as a white "pearl" in either the anterosuperior or posterosuperior quadrants behind an intact tympanic membrane. The presenting features of congenital cholesteatoma depend upon the initial site of the disease. The most common presentation of this disease is a conductive hearing loss or a facial palsy of gradual onset. Other presentations include incapacitating vertigo with nystagmus, a feeling of fullness in the ear, frequent otalgia, an abnormal eardrum noted at physical examination for an unrelated condition and meningitis. Recently, we experienced a case of congenital cholesteatoma that was presented as a post-auricular fistula. In considering the management of such a fistula, it would be important to recognize the possibility that the disease may present in this way.

Keyword

Cholesteatoma; Congenital; Ear

MeSH Terms

Cholesteatoma*
Cholesteatoma, Middle Ear
Ear
Earache
Facial Paralysis
Fistula*
Hearing Loss, Conductive
Meningitis
Physical Examination
Tympanic Membrane
Vertigo