GIANT CHOLESTEATOMA OF THE EXTERNAL AUDITORY-CANAL

Cholesteatomas are found almost exclusively in the middle ear and mast oid. Occasionally this disease is seen in the external auditory canal. Cholesteatoma of the external auditory canal is a rare condition. Sev ere pain and profuse discharge associated with a normal eardrum and no rmal hearing are essential clinical features. In addition, we found fa cial paresis and conductive hearing loss in our case. Smaller choleste atomas can be managed by frequent debridement in the office; larger le sions require surgical intervention. Surgery is successful in resolvin g otorrhea and relieving pain. In addition, our own experience has sho wn that surgery is successful in relieving facial paresis.