Epidermoid cyst of the external auditory canal in children: diagnosis and management.

Epidermoid cyst of the external auditory canal (EAC) is rarely encountered in the clinical practice, but when it occurs, it may cause obstruction of the meatus that necessitates surgical excision. The aims of this study were to present 9 pediatric patients with epidermoid cysts of the EAC and to evaluate the outcome of the surgical technique that has been used in excision. Surgical removal of the cyst was carried out through a simple transmeatal approach, a medially based rectangular skin flap was elevated and the cyst was completely removed. No complications or recurrence have been reported. Epidermoid cyst should be listed in the differential diagnosis of EAC masses; it appears on computed tomography as a cystic mass in the outer cartilaginous part of EAC that is usually limited to the soft tissue with no bone erosion. It can be removed easily through simple transmeatal approach with high success rate and no morbidity.