Brar S, Wolf DM, Faoury M, Barwell J, Saggar A, Daya H. Monozygotic twins and cholesteatomas: nature or nuture?
Eur Arch Otorhinolaryngol 2023;
280:5649-5654. [PMID:
37737872 DOI:
10.1007/s00405-023-08239-8]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2023] [Accepted: 09/08/2023] [Indexed: 09/23/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE
Cholesteatoma is a rare middle ear pathology. It can be classified into acquired and congenital forms. Although benign, cholesteatomas can cause significant morbidity including hearing loss, infection, facial palsy and thrombosis. Congenital cholesteatomas are incredibly rare and bilateral disease has not commonly been published in the literature.
METHOD
We describe the case of female identical (monozygotic, monochorionic, diamniotic) twins who both developed congenital cholesteatomas. In this report, we review the aetiology, treatment, embryology and pathology of cholesteatoma.
RESULTS
The patients have been followed up 15 years after their initial surgery with promising results - pure-tone audiometry and repeat scans have not illustrated any disease recurrence.
CONCLUSION
This paper presents one of the only cases of female monozygotic twins presenting with unilateral and bilateral cholesteatomas.
Collapse