Clinical Characteristics and Follow-Up of Patients With External Ear Canal Cholesteatoma Treated Conservatively

Abstract

We conducted a retrospective study to evaluate the clinical properties and follow-up of patients with external ear canal cholesteatoma (EECC) who were treated conservatively. Our study group was made up of 15 patients—6 men and 9 women, aged 21 to 82 years (mean: 48). In addition to demographic data, we compiled information on presenting signs and symptoms, the location of the lesion, treatment, and follow-up. All EECCs occurred spontaneously, and all were limited to the temporal bone. Lesions were leftsided in 7 patients, right-sided in 7, and bilateral in 1. For purposes of defining the location of the lesions, the ear canal was divided into four quadrants: anterior, posterior, superior, and inferior. Temporal bone computed tomography (CT) and otomicroscopic evaluation revealed that 7 of the 16 lesions (44%) were located in the anterior and inferior quadrants, 6 (38%) in the inferior quadrant only, 2 (13%) in the anterior, inferior, and posterior quadrants, and 1 (6%) in the anterior quadrant only. Otorrhea was present in 7 of the 15 patients (47%), otalgia in 6 (40%), itching in 4 (27%), fullness in 2 (13%), and occlusion in 1 (7%); 3 patients (20%) were asymptomatic. All patients were treated with local debridement and aspiration under otomicroscopy, and they were followed up with repeat aspirations approximately every 10 weeks under microscopy. The duration of follow-up ranged from 6 to 75 months (mean: 41). At study’s end, cholesteatoma had not progressed in any patient during follow-up, indicating that repeat aspirations and regular follow-up of limited EECC prevent recurrence of signs and symptoms and progression of the disease.