The origin of congenital cholesteatoma

Objective: This study aimed to document histologically the origin of congen ital cholesteatoma in neonatal temporal bones. Study Design: The study design was a systematic analysis of pediatric tempo ral bones. Setting: The study was performed at the temporal bone laboratory, Tufts Uni versity School of Medicine and New England Medical Center, Boston, Massachu setts. Results: We describe histologic findings of a congenital cholesteatoma and a squamous epithelial rest in two postpartum patients. In both patients, th e masses were asymptomatic and occurred in the anterosuperior quadrant of t he middle ear cleft. This is the first histologic documentation of postpart um congenital cholesteatoma. Conclusions: We believe that these cases represent the first clear histolog ic documentation of the origin of congenital cholesteatoma.