[Cholesteatoma in children. Apropos of 110 cases]

This retrospective study of 110 middle ear cholesteatomas, concerning children up to 15 years old which have been treated between 1982 and 1992 in the ENT department of the university hospital of Strasbourg, analyzes the particularities of this disease and the therapeutic strategy adopted. The evolution of middle ear cholesteatoma is more rapid in childhood than in adulthood, due to greater growth potential of tissue in childhood, persistence of Eustachian tube dysfunction and aggressive extension in middle ear. The surgical removal is said to be difficult with numerous postoperative recurrences. Closed technique tympanoplasty was used for 47 cholesteatomas (43%), with a postoperative recurrence rate of 54%. An open technique was used for 63% cholesteatomas (57%), with a recurrence rate of 29%. The postoperative follow up has to be continued as long as possible, whatever the technique used may be.