Eardrum Infection may Cause Middle Ear Cholesteatoma

Abstract

The middle ear negative pressure hypothesis and the migration hypothesis have been quoted as two major etiological theories for middle ear cholesteatoma. Various infections in the outer ear canal and the tympanic membrane may cause middle ear mucosal infection and bone destruction in the similar way as middle ear infection does. One acute infant case and another quiescent adult case are presented herein in support of the eardrum infection hypothesis.