Use of mastoid obliteration techniques in cholesteatoma

To evaluate the choice of techniques, safety and long-term outcome of mastoid obliteration and assess the place of imaging in the postoperative monitoring of residual cholesteatoma.

All recent reports on mastoid obliteration for the management of cholesteatoama were favourable. Long-term follow-up reports did not show problems arising from hidden cholesteatoma, even for the paediatric population. Non-EPI DW MR imaging has shown great promise in detecting residual cholesteatoma in obliterated cavities.

Canal wall down technique with primary mastoid obliteration for cholesteatoma has low recurrent and residual cholesteatoma rates. Most ears remained dry and waterproof on long-term follow-up.