High-resolution CT findings of congenital cholesteatoma in middle ears

OBJECTIVE The purpose of this study is to describe the HRCT appearance of congenital middle ear cholesteatoma.METHODS We conducted a retrospective case review.The subjects comprised 16 patients who were decisively confirmed by HRCT and exploratory tympanotomy.The temporal bone computed tomography scans and surgical findings were analyzed.RESULTS Congenital middle ear cholesteatomas were classified into 3 types according to HRCT findings and surgical findings.Type I lesions were those that were confined to tympanic cavity.Type II lesions involved the tympanic cavity,antrum and mastoid cavity.Type III lesions involved the inner ear and eroded the tegmen.Type I lesions were early stage of congenital cholesteatoma.Close-type and open-type congenital cholesteatoma at early stage showed different appearance in HRCT image.CONCLUSION HRCT image has an important value in the diagnosis and treatment of congenital middle ear cholesteatomas.