Middle ear cholesteatoma: a CT study

ABSTRACT

Thirty-two middle cholesteatomas in 30 patients [19 males and 11 females with age ranged from 8 to 48 years] complaining of offensive ear discharge and manifestations of middle ear disease have been fully investigated clinically, audiologically and radiologically and operated upon. The high resolution CT with 1.5-2 mm thickness cuts in axial and coronal planes were sufficient to detect the soft tissue mass of cholesteatoma, bone erosions, ossicular destruction and extent of the lesion. Brain CT was done for cases with intracranial complications. Complications were either extension in the temporal bone and or intracranially. Ossicular necrosis was detected in 23 cases, brain abscess in 5, meningitis in 2 and recurrence in 3 cases. Operative interference was done either urgently or as a planned operation by either closed or opened techniques for the cholesteatomas and their complications