Massive acquired cholesteatoma of the temporal bone

Nine patients with massive acquired cholesteatoma of the temporal bone were treated by radical mastoidectomy, facial nerve decompression, and excision of the inner ear. The commonest presenting symptoms were otorrhea and deafness, but otalgia, vertigo, external swelling and facial nerve palsies were also seen. Polytomography was helpful in assessing the degree of bone erosion preoperatively. The large cavity present following cholesteatoma excision was partially obliterated by a superiorly based temporalis muscle pedicle which helped to seal the internal auditory meatus and prevented the development of a cerebral hernia. Those patients with preoperative facial nerve palsies showed evidence of nerve degeneration and had incomplete recovery at a one year follow-up.