title: Large cholesterol granuloma of the petrous apex treated via subcochlear drainage.
abstract: This is a case report of a patient with bilateral cholesterol granuloma of the petrous apex, who presented with unilateral symptoms. Initially suspected as having a dermoid cyst, he underwent posterior fossa exploration, drainage and biopsy. Symptoms recurred one year later and subcochlear drainage of the petrous apex cyst was successfully performed. Follow-up for over 18 months shows no clinical nor imaging signs of recurrence. A MEDLINE literature search was carried out and relevant paper publications reviewed. Case presentation including initial, pre- and post-operative imaging is presented. This is followed by discussion of current concepts on the presentation and management of large cholesterol cysts of the petrous apex.
authors.affiliation: Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Derriford Hospital, Plymouth, UK. mariojair@supanet.com
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Jaramillo
authors.forename: P C
authors.initials: PC
authors.lastname: Windle-Taylor
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002784:Cholesterol; D003884:Dermoid Cyst / Q000175:diagnosis; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D004322:Drainage / Q000379:methods*; D015745:Granuloma, Foreign-Body / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods; D008297:Male; D010579:Petrous Bone / Q000601:surgery*; D012888:Skull Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000379:methods; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D002784:Cholesterol