Korean J Otolaryngol-Head Neck Surg.  1997 Feb;40(2):271-276.

Cholesterol Granuloma without Tympanic Membrane Perforation

• Kim HJ
• Yoon TH

Abstract

Cholesterol granuloma in the middle ear cleft can occur in two clinical situations. It may be seen in chronic otitis media with a tympanic membrane perforation, or behind an intact tympanic membrane in a separate group. We reviewed 21 cases of cholesterol granuloma occurred in the middle ear cleft without tympanic membrane perforation. They presented as blue ear drum in most cases, but some cases were accompanied with inflammatory disorders in the middle ear such as adhesive otitis media or pars flaccida cholesteatoma. Abnormal findings of tympanic membrane of the contralateral ear were found in 8 cases. Bone destruction by cholesterol granuloma itself was found in 3 cases. This finding suggested that cholesterol granuloma led to bony lesion which was considered in the differential diagnosis of destructive lesion in the middle ear cleft. If ventilation tube insertion is inadequate preoperatively, surgical removal of pathologic lesion with good aeration of middle ear cleft is treatment of choice.

Keyword

Cholesterol granuloma; Intact tympanic membrane

MeSH Terms

Adhesives
Cholesteatoma
Cholesterol*
Diagnosis, Differential
Ear
Ear, Middle
Granuloma*
Otitis Media
Tympanic Membrane Perforation*
Tympanic Membrane*
Ventilation
Adhesives
Cholesterol