Congenital cholesteatoma

Congenital cholesteatoma

Since the late 1970s, the author has had the opportunity to prospectively study, document, and surgically manage 40 cases of congenital cholesteatoma. All cases met strict criteria for inclusion in the study, all were surgically and pathologically confirmed, and were definitively followed. During that same period, 38 cases were managed by other members of the otolaryngology department. It is the purpose of this thesis to critically study this personal and institutional experience, and to validate the rationale for early diagnosis and prompt and effective surgical intervention.

Origin of congenital cholesteatoma from a normally occurring epidermoid rest in the developing middle ear

The sites of involvement of congenital cholesteatoma, a lesion which has recently become more frequently recognized, are reviewed from literature sources. There is a propensity for its occurrence, especially when small, in the anterior superior part of the middle ear. The same situation is the precise location of an epidermoid cell rest, the epidermoid formation (EF). This is seen in most fetal ears at the junction of the Eustachian tube with the middle ear near the anterior limb of the tympanic ring, until 33 weeks gestation, when it disappears. Its origin is traced to early fetal life from the ectoderm of the first branchial groove. In embryonic and early in fetal life it seems to act as an organizer in the development of the tympanic membrane and middle ear. It is likely that congenital cholesteatoma is derived from the EF by its continued growth instead of regression. Congenital cholesteatomas show a thinner and flatter matrix than acquired cholesteatomas, probably because the former are most frequently 'closed' and therefore subject to pressure effects from the keratin within the cyst. 'Open' forms also occur in smaller numbers. It is possible that a screening program for congenital cholesteatoma in infants might reduce the incidence of the severe, extended form of the disease.

Massive acquired cholesteatoma of the temporal bone

Nine patients with massive acquired cholesteatoma of the temporal bone were treated by radical mastoidectomy, facial nerve decompression, and excision of the inner ear. The commonest presenting symptoms were otorrhea and deafness, but otalgia, vertigo, external swelling and facial nerve palsies were also seen. Polytomography was helpful in assessing the degree of bone erosion preoperatively. The large cavity present following cholesteatoma excision was partially obliterated by a superiorly based temporalis muscle pedicle which helped to seal the internal auditory meatus and prevented the development of a cerebral hernia. Those patients with preoperative facial nerve palsies showed evidence of nerve degeneration and had incomplete recovery at a one year follow-up.