[Imaging features and surgical approach of external auditory canal cholesteatoma].

OBJECTIVE

To define the clinical and imaging features of external auditory canal cholesteatoma (EACC) and determine the characteristics most important to its clinical management.

METHOD: Seventeen cases (21 ears) of EACC were retrospectively reviewed. Clinical data were collected for the history, presentation, physical examination findings and CT scans. The surgical management approaches were reviewed.

RESULT: Patients presented with otalgia (n = 21), otorrhea (n = 16), ear-canal stenosis (n = 11), facial nerve dysfunction (n = 4). CT scans showed a soft tissue mass with adjacent bone erosion (n =21). Middle ear and mastoid involvement (n = 9), facial canal erosion (n = 4), sigmoid sinus erosion (n = 1) and jugular bulb dehiscence (n = 1) were observed. EACC excision and canaloplasty through transcanal approaches were performed in 12 ears, while postauricular incision and canal wall down mastoidectomy were used in 9 ears.

CONCLUSION

The possible causes of EACC and its possible extension may influence clinical management. Preoperative high-resolution temporal bone CT scans can be helpful in the diagnosis and management of EACC.