Giant cholesteatoma of the external auditory canal.

Cholesteatomas are found almost exclusively in the middle ear and mastoid. Occasionally this disease is seen in the external auditory canal. Cholesteatoma of the external auditory canal is a rare condition. Severe pain and profuse discharge associated with a normal eardrum and normal hearing are essential clinical features. In addition, we found facial paresis and conductive hearing loss in our case. Smaller cholesteatomas can be managed by frequent debridement in the office; larger lesions require surgical intervention. Surgery is successful in resolving otorrhea and relieving pain. In addition, our own experience has shown that surgery is successful in relieving facial paresis.