Cholesterol granuloma associated with otitis media in a cat

An 8-year-old, male neutered Siamese cat was presented with Horner syndrome and right head tilt. A soft tissue mass was observed in the right tympanic cavity, and bulla osteotomy was performed. Tissue samples retrieved from the tympanic cavity were sent for histology, and a middle ear fluid swab was sent for bacterial culture and sensitivity. Histologic diagnosis was of otitis media associated with cholesterol granuloma (CG). Bacterial culture yielded Pasteurella multocida and Leifsonia (Corynebacterium) aquaticum. Middle ear CG is frequently seen in human beings and is associated with a variety of middle ear diseases including otitis media. Cholesterol granuloma of the middle ear has been experimentally induced in cats. The clinical and pathological findings of a spontaneous case of CG in the tympanic cavity of a cat with otitis media are described herein.