[Infantile cholesteatoma]

We present the results obtained in a group of 52 patients (55 ears), 15 years old or younger, diagnosed with middle ear cholesteatoma. After the evaluation of their clinical records, audiometry and X ray, surgery was performed by means of canal wall up procedures in 40 ears (72%) and canal wall down procedures in 15 (27%). The cholesteatoma was eradicated in 62% of the first group and in 86% of the second one. In 17 patients there was a recurrence. In those cases of canal wall up procedures they were transformed in canal wall down, or in the canal wall down the cavity was cleaned up. Only in 2 of these 17 recurrences, there was a second recurrence. In 7 cases a tympanoplasty was performed and the audiometric GAP was reduced in 57% and only in 19% when tympanoplasty wasn't performed.