Cholesteatoma in the tympanic membrane in two pediatric patients

Abstract

Cholesteatoma localized in the tympanic membrane is rare especially in pediatric patients although cholesteatoma usually extends from the middle ear to inner ear with epithelial debris accumulation.
Two pediatric patients presented with cholesteatoma in the tympanic membrane, and the pathogenesis and the treatment were discussed.
The first case, a 2-year-old boy, with a white pearl-like lesion growing in the pars flaccida of the left tympanic membrane was referred to us. The lesion was incised and encapsulated epithelial debris was removed. The lesion was diagnosed as congenital cholesteatoma in the tympanic membrane because of no history of previous ear infection.
The second case, a 3-year-old girl with two white pearl-like lesions growing in the pars tensa of the right tympanic membrane originating after closure of traumatic tympanic membrane perforation, was referred to us. The lesions were removed together with the tympanic membrane due to the cholesteatoma invasion. The acquired cholesteatoma in the tympanic membrane was diagnosed because of the prior trauma.
Surgical intervention will be applied even to the pediatric cases with cholesteatoma in the tympanic membrane was indicated. The surgical approach should be selected according to the pathogenesis.