Congenital cholesteatoma with canal atresia: Three case reports

In the present study, Congenital cholesteatoma is a rare entity in routine clinical practice. Secondary otitis media makes it difficult to diagnose. Chances of congenital cholesteatoma increase when it is associated with atretic ear. Appropriate imaging technique helps to diagnose and delineate the extent of congenital cholesteatoma. Computed tomography also plays a pivotal role in planning the surgery and grading the outcome of the surgery in congenital aural atresia. We had come across three such cases of congenital cholesteatoma with canal atresia along with conductive hearing loss and ear discharge. Meatoplasty with tympanomastoidectomy was carried out in these cases with hearing improvement confirmed by pure tone audiometry. Histopathology of soft-tissue material in all three cases showed cholesteatoma. Review of literature reveals that these conditions are rare.