Expansile bone cyst and cholesteatoma of the temporal bone.

OBJECTIVE

To identify primary bony cysts of the temporal bone.

PATIENT: A single case of a woman presenting with unilateral bulging of the temporoparietal cranium, progressive stenosis of the external auditory canal, and maximal conductive hearing loss.

INTERVENTION(S): Plain x-rays, magnetic resonance imaging, contrast-enhanced computed tomography, audiogram, and modified radical mastoidectomy.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Radiologic and histopathologic diagnosis of a primary bone cyst of the temporal bone obstructing the external auditory canal with a retained cholesteatoma of the middle ear.

RESULTS

Identification of an inflammatory bony cyst of the temporal bone with a retained cholesteatoma of the middle ear resulting in stenosis of the external auditory canal and maximal conductive hearing loss.

CONCLUSION

Primary bone cyst of the temporal bone can lead to external auditory canal stenosis, middle ear cholesteatoma, and conductive hearing loss.