Facial paralysis associated with cholesteatoma: a review of 13 cases.
OBJECTIVE
Report the clinical presentation and outcome of the cases of 13 patients with facial paralysis and acquired middle ear and mastoid cholesteatoma.


METHODS
Patients with acquired cholesteatoma of the middle ear presenting with facial paralysis.


METHODS
Surgical treatment of the cholesteatoma and decompression of the facial nerve.


METHODS
The type and the timing of surgery, the intraoperative findings, and the postoperative facial nerve results were analyzed and related to the preoperative facial nerve function.


RESULTS
All patients treated less than 7 days after the onset of the paralysis showed a normal facial function at long-term follow-up; patients who were operated on 7 days or more after the onset of paralysis showed a variable outcome. Statistical analysis showed a bigger number of House-Brackmann grade I in patients operated on within the first week of paralysis (p = 0.031).


CONCLUSIONS
The prognosis of facial paralysis is related to the time of intervention. Early diagnosis and treatment of cholesteatoma represent, however, the mainstay of treatment.
Quaranta
Nicola
N
Otolaryngology G. Lugli, Otology and Neurotology Microsurgery, Department of Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology, University of Bari, Italy. nicola.quaranta@orl.uniba.it
Cassano
Michele
M
Quaranta
Antonio
A
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D018424:Cholesteatoma, Middle Ear / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000601:surgery; D019299:Decompression, Surgical / Q000379:methods; D005158:Facial Paralysis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000601:surgery; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013506:Otologic Surgical Procedures / Q000379:methods; D015995:Prevalence