PRIMARY CHOLESTEATOMA OF THE APEX OF THE PETROUS BONE

Background: Primary cholesteatoma of the temporal bone is a very rare disease. Initially, the tympanic membrane is intact, and often facial palsy may be the presenting symptom. The authors present a case of pri mary cholesteatoma which was surgically treated using a transmastoid-t ranslabyrinthine approach, Other surgical approaches to the petrous ap ex are discussed.