An analysis of petrous bone cholesteatomas treated with translabyrinthine transotic petrosectomy

Abstract Conclusion: In cases of petrous apex cholesteatoma, radical removal should be prioritized over an unreasonable sparing of hearing or facial symmetry. Restoration of facial nerve function is achievable by reanimation procedures. Objectives: To analyze clinical manifestations, surgical findings, and postoperative functional results of petrous apex cholesteatoma. Methods: From 1995 to 2012, 34 cases of petrous apex cholesteatoma underwent operations. Clinical and surgical findings and postoperative functional outcomes were analyzed retrospectively. Results: Hearing loss was the most common symptom in 95% of patients, followed by otorrhea in 64% and facial palsy in 59%. Four patients had recurrent facial palsy. In eight (24%) patients petrous apex cholesteatomas were recurrent or iatrogenic in origin. The supralabyrinthine and massive type of petrous bone cholesteatoma were the most common types, followed by, infralabyrinthine-apical, infralabyrinthine, and apical. Among 18 cases with facial nerve pa...