External Auditory Canal Cholesteatoma in Children : Clinical Features

Abstract

In recent years there has been an increasing number of case reports and an apparent increase in interest in ear canal cholesteatoma, especially in children. The ear canal cholesteatoma can result from surgery, trauma, ear canal stenosis, ear canal obstruction, and also may arise spontaneously. Although the exact cause of ear canal cholesteatoma that has been developed spontaneously is unknown, it is believed that local periostitis of the canal bone, trauma to the canal skin, and epithelial abnormality resulting in increased keratotic activity with secondary bone involvement are the possible theories. The aim of this study is to describe clinical characteristics of ear canal cholesteatoma in children, and to compare them with those of ear canal cholesteatoma in adults. In this study, we reviewed 6 cases of child ear canal cholesteatoma and ]0 cases of adult ear canal cholesteatoma by analysing findings of myringoscopy, operation and temporal bone computed tomography. 5 out of 6 child canal cholesteatomas(83.3%) were idiopathic, while 7 of 10 adult canal cholesteatomas(70.0%) were idiopathic. 4 out of 5 idiopathic canal cholesteatomas in children(80.0%) were stage 3, while 2 of 7 idiopatliic canal cholesteatomas in adults(28.8%) were stage 3. This review supports that the lesion in child ear canal cholesteatoma is more extensive than that in adult ear canal cholesteatoma.