Conservative management of advanced external auditory canal cholesteatoma.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the spectrum of disease presentation and clinical management of primary external auditory canal cholesteatoma (EACC).


METHODS
Case series with chart review.


METHODS
Specialty teaching hospital.


METHODS
Ten cases of primary EACC were identified in nine patients treated over 14 years (1995-2009). Cases were reviewed with regard to demographics, presentation, physical examination, CT findings, and clinical management.


RESULTS
The most common symptoms were otalgia and hearing loss, followed by otorrhea and tinnitus. Erosion was present in the mastoid air cells in seven patients, middle ear in six, temporomandibular joint in two, otic capsule in two, and fallopian canal in one patient. Eight of nine patients were managed with serial debridement.


CONCLUSIONS
EACC is associated with adjacent bony erosion, most often involving the inferior EAC. Despite the potentially destructive nature of these lesions, most cases can be successfully managed with serial debridement.
Darr
E Ashlie
EA
Department of Otolaryngology, New York Eye & Ear Infirmary, 310 E 14th St, 6th Flr, New York,NY 10003, USA. adarr@nyee.edu
Linstrom
Christopher J
CJ
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D018424:Cholesteatoma, Middle Ear / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery*; D003646:Debridement; D004424:Ear Canal / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery*; D004433:Earache / Q000209:etiology; D005260:Female; D034381:Hearing Loss / Q000209:etiology; D006784:Hospitals, Teaching; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008499:Medical Records; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D014012:Tinnitus / Q000209:etiology; D016896:Treatment Outcome