[Imaging features and surgical approach of external auditory canal cholesteatoma].
OBJECTIVE
To define the clinical and imaging features of external auditory canal cholesteatoma (EACC) and determine the characteristics most important to its clinical management.


METHODS
Seventeen cases (21 ears) of EACC were retrospectively reviewed. Clinical data were collected for the history, presentation, physical examination findings and CT scans. The surgical management approaches were reviewed.


RESULTS
Patients presented with otalgia (n = 21), otorrhea (n = 16), ear-canal stenosis (n = 11), facial nerve dysfunction (n = 4). CT scans showed a soft tissue mass with adjacent bone erosion (n =21). Middle ear and mastoid involvement (n = 9), facial canal erosion (n = 4), sigmoid sinus erosion (n = 1) and jugular bulb dehiscence (n = 1) were observed. EACC excision and canaloplasty through transcanal approaches were performed in 12 ears, while postauricular incision and canal wall down mastoidectomy were used in 9 ears.


CONCLUSIONS
The possible causes of EACC and its possible extension may influence clinical management. Preoperative high-resolution temporal bone CT scans can be helpful in the diagnosis and management of EACC.
Lu
Wei
W
Department of Otolaryngology, the First Affiliated Hospital, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450052, China.
Li
Sujuan
S
Qin
Zhaobing
Z
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002648:Child; D002781:Cholesteatoma / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D004424:Ear Canal / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D055815:Young Adult