Petrous Bone Cholesteatoma: Facial and Hearing Preservation

Objectives: Petrous bone cholesteatoma (PBC) is a rare condition of the petrous portion of the temporal bone. Treatment of choice consists of radical surgical removal, paying attention to protect the facial nerve and inner ear as far as possible. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the efficacy of modified translabyrinthine techniques in preserving hearing function and the use of the adjuvant endoscopic techniques in a group of PBC patients. Methods: This study comprised 16 cases of PBCs surgically treated in our Department. Pre- and post-operative hearing status was assessed with pure tone audiometry and speech discrimination and graded according to the Gardner- Robertson classification system. Facial function was based on the House Brackman (HB) classification. PBCs were grouped using Sanna’s classification. The choice of surgical technique was based on the above findings together with preoperative evidence. Post-operative follow-up ranged from 1 to 10 years and also included Computed Tomography and Magnetic Resonance Imaging assessment. Results: PBCs were classified as follows: 37.5% infralabyrinthine; 43.75% supralabyrinthine; and 18.75% massive. Preservation of the bone conduction threshold was feasible in 62.5% of patients. For supralabyrinthine PBCs a subtotal petrosetomy was performed in all cases and hearing preservation was possible in 57% of them: an adjuvant endoscopic approach was performed in 43%. Infralabyrinthine PBCs were treated using a modified translabyrinthine approach with preservation of bone conduction in 83% of patients; an adjuvant endoscopic approach was performed in 50% cases. One patient with a massive cholesteatoma was treated by modified translabyrinthine approach, preserving a serviceable level of hearing. In all massive cases, an adjuvant endoscopic approach was performed. In 2 patients with preoperative palsy, facial nerve function showed an improvement. The follow-up period revealed evidence of limited recurrence at CT imaging in 2 patients. Conclusions: The introduction of modified surgical approaches, able to preserve the anatomical-functional structures, have shown an improvement of post-operative hearing outcomes.

Extensive Pneumocephalus Secondary to Petrous Bone Cholesteatoma

Pneumocephalus refers to air inside the cranium; however, otogenic pneumocephalus is rarely reported in the literature. The neurological presentations of pneumocephalus include headache, lethargy, confusion, disorientation, and seizure. Here, we have reported a case of a 42-year-old woman with extensive pneumocephalus and cerebrospinal fluid leak secondary to petrous bone cholesteatoma. She presented to the emergency department with sudden headache and left ear discharge. Physical examination revealed watery otorrhea through a hole in the tympanic membrane. Radiological studies demonstrated extensive soft tissue in the left middle ear and mastoid extending to the internal auditory canal. Free intracranial air was observed, and bony destruction was seen in the cochlea, vestibule, and semicircular canals. The patient was managed surgically via the transotic approach and fully recovered. Although otogenic pneumocephalus is rarely encountered in clinical practice, early diagnosis and urgent management are important to prevent fatal complications.

Infralabyrinthine petrous bone cholesteatoma (literature review)

A literature review on the infralabyrinthine petrous bone cholesteatoma (PBC) was presented in this article. Attention is paid to etiology and clinical symptoms of the disease, classifications. All modern classifications divide cholesteatoma with localization under the labyrinth into two big groups: infralabyrinthine and infralabyrinthine apical. This is not enough to determine the algorithm of surgical tactic of these patients. The most used approaches to the infrlabyrinyhine area and lateral skull base were analyzed (infralabyrinthine and infracochlear, subtotal petrosectomy, transotic approach, group of transcochlear approaches, infratemporal and translabyrinthine approaches). Possible variants of the surgery ending are described (tympanoplasty or “cul-de-sac” closure). Comparison of the results of different authors, starting from 1990, in which the infralabyrinthine cholesteatoma was distinguished as a separate class was carried out. 16 publications were analyzed based on the type of used classification, the total number of cases with infralabyrinthine cholesteatoma, the type of surgical approach, the complications and recurrence rate. The total number of patients was 141, 84 with infralabyrinthine (59,6%), 57 (40,4%) with infralabyrinthine apical PBC. The most common type of surgery were subtotal petrosectomy, transcochlear approach in different variations and transotic approach. The recurrence rate ranged from 0 to 29%. This paper identifies unresolved issues, the necessity of new classification and algorithm of surgical management based on it.

Subtotal Petrosectomy With Preservation of Chorda Tympani for Petrous Bone Cholesteatoma: Case Report

A petrous bone cholesteatoma (PBC) is a rare epidermoid cyst of the petrous portion of the temporal bone. The main treatment is subtotal petrosectomy (SP), which generally involves sacrificing the chorda tympani. We report a case of extensive supralabyrinthine PBC in an elderly patient undergoing hemodialysis that was treated by SP with anatomical preservation of the chorda tympani. To the best of our knowledge, preservation of the chorda tympani during SP has not been previously reported. For maintenance of postoperative taste and appetite, preservation of the chorda tympani is a meaningful maneuver whenever possible.