A case of external auditory canal osteoma complicated with cholesteatoma, mastoiditis, labyrinthitis and internal auditory canal pachymeningitis

The association between external auditory canal osteoma and external auditory canal cholesteatoma is rare, with only a few reports in the current literature. Intracranial complications are very rare in the external auditory canal cholesteatoma, especially with direct propagation through the internal auditory canal. A case of 27-year-old male presenting with external auditory canal osteoma with secondary external auditory canal cholesteatoma is described. Progression of the disease created in turn a mastoiditis, labyrinthitis and pachymeningitis confined to the internal auditory canal. The patient was treated by a subtotal petrosectomy, without entering the internal auditory canal. A control MRI after 3 months showed reduction of the internal auditory canal enhancement.