Publication:

Case series on external auditory canal cholesteatoma: an entity often misdiagnosed

External auditory canal (EAC) cholesteatoma is a rare disease. EAC cholesteatoma presents with chronic dull aching pain with normal hearing. It is diagnosed by clinical examination and radiological investigation. Due to its rarity it is important to differentiate it from other external ear conditions. We prospectively analysed four cases of cholesteatoma of the external auditory canal in a period of 18 months. All of our patients underwent surgery. In three cases, the cholesteatoma was restricted to the external auditory canal, while in one case it was extending into the antrum. A proper clinical examination with radiological investigations will be helpful in the diagnosis and for proper management of the disease.