[Cholesteatoma of the Prussak's space. Diagnosis with computerized tomography]

Prussak's space localization represents the early stage of the cholesteatoma arising from the pars flaccida of the tympanic membrane. From Prussak's space the mass spreads to the antrum and to mastoid air cells. Its demonstration is infrequent probably due to the limited use of CT in inflammatory diseases of the middle ear. On CT scans, cholesteatomas present as small soft-tissue masses, and their growth is responsible for scutum and ossicular chain erosion. The mass may also spread posteriorly to the aditus and antrum, and involve tendons and ligaments, which is a different behavior than that of fluid collections or granulation tissue. The authors report 9 cases of Prussak's cholesteatoma evaluated by means of HRCT.