[On the importance of cholesterol granuloma (author's transl)]

Cholesterol granuloma consists of solid metabolic waste products. The essential cause is a closed unaerated space in the middle ear cleft with proliferation of the mucosa, a connective tissue increased production of mucous and their subsequent organisation. During the resorption of this poorly digestable mucous cholesterol crystals are formed which in turn leads to small haemorrhages, increased fibrous tissue formation as well as the accumulation of foreign body giant cells. The analysis of 101 specimens showed different histological forms of cholesterol granuloma due to the different duration of the local pathological process. In the final stages the granulation tissue undergoes dystrophic calcification or necrosis. There is no influence on the adjacent bone. Cholesterol granuloma does not seem to be an important clinical entity. The therapy is the same as for the infectious process that is also present in the same ear.