The clinical and radiological status of contralateral ears in unilateral cholesteatoma patients.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the clinical and radiological features and the risk of middle ear disease in the contralateral ears of unilateral cholesteatoma with clinical and radiological assessment.


METHODS
Fifty-two patients with unilateral cholesteatoma and 30 control subjects underwent otoscopic and audiologic examination. Temporal bone computed tomography was performed to evaluate the pneumatization of the temporal bones, the status of anterior epitympanic space and eustachian tube. Then, the parameters of the temporal bone pneumatization were calculated.


RESULTS
28% of the contralateral ears in the cholesteatoma patients showed abnormal tympanic membrane findings. In the audiologic examination, 10% of the contralateral ears showed moderate hearing loss and 3% showed severe hearing loss. Aeration areas were 1.81 ± 1.01, 2.50 ± 1.31 and 4.49 ± 1.45 cm(2), aeration ratios were 24, 28 and 42%, in cholesteatoma, contralateral and control ears, respectively. Development of the anterior epitympanic space and eustachian tube patency was reduced in contralateral ears relative to control ears.


CONCLUSIONS
The degree of temporal bone pneumatization, eustachian tube function, and development of the anterior epitympanic space are significantly decreased in the contralateral ears of unilateral cholesteatoma patients, and there is an increased risk of middle ear diseases. Continuous monitoring of the contralateral ear is crucial for early detection and optimal treatment of middle ear disease.
Departments of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, School of Medicine, Hanyang University, Haengdang-dong 17, Sungdong-gu, Seoul, 133-792, Korea.
Jae Ho
JH
Chung
Seung Hwan
SH
Lee
Hyun Jung
HJ
Min
Chul Won
CW
Park
Jin Hyeok
JH
Jeong
Kyung Rae
KR
Kim
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002648:Child; D018424:Cholesteatoma, Middle Ear / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D005064:Eustachian Tube / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D005260:Female; D006320:Hearing Tests; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008416:Mastoid / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D018570:Risk Assessment; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D055815:Young Adult