Congenital Middle Ear Cholesteatoma in Children; Retrospective Review of 35 Cases

Congenital middle ear cholesteatoma (CMEC) is a rare disease entity in otolaryngology. However, we try to assess the characteristic features and recurrences of CMEC in pediatric patients according to stages, and to determine the value of preoperative computed tomography (CT) scan. Retrospective review of 35 cases of CMEC under the age of 15 yr that had been treated at the tertiary referral center from 1995 through 2006. The main outcome measures were CT findings, surgical findings, recurrence rate and hearing assessment. Preoperative CT scan accurately predicted the extent of the cholesteatoma seen during surgery in 30/35 (85.7%). The recurrence rate of CMEC was 5.7% (2/35) and all of recurred cases were stage IV. In recurred cases, cholesteatomas were extended to sinus tympani and facial recess at revisional operation as well as initial operation. So we concluded that preoperative CT scan is essential in defining the extent of existing pathology. The intraoperative CMEC extension and location influence the outcome of surgery. In the higher stages, careful eradication of disease, particularly in the region of sinus tympani and facial recess is recommended.