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The clinical and radiological status of contralateral ears in unilateral cholesteatoma patients

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Abstract

Purpose

To evaluate the clinical and radiological features and the risk of middle ear disease in the contralateral ears of unilateral cholesteatoma with clinical and radiological assessment.

Methods

Fifty-two patients with unilateral cholesteatoma and 30 control subjects underwent otoscopic and audiologic examination. Temporal bone computed tomography was performed to evaluate the pneumatization of the temporal bones, the status of anterior epitympanic space and eustachian tube. Then, the parameters of the temporal bone pneumatization were calculated.

Results

28 % of the contralateral ears in the cholesteatoma patients showed abnormal tympanic membrane findings. In the audiologic examination, 10 % of the contralateral ears showed moderate hearing loss and 3 % showed severe hearing loss. Aeration areas were 1.81 ± 1.01, 2.50 ± 1.31 and 4.49 ± 1.45 cm2, aeration ratios were 24, 28 and 42 %, in cholesteatoma, contralateral and control ears, respectively. Development of the anterior epitympanic space and eustachian tube patency was reduced in contralateral ears relative to control ears.

Conclusions

The degree of temporal bone pneumatization, eustachian tube function, and development of the anterior epitympanic space are significantly decreased in the contralateral ears of unilateral cholesteatoma patients, and there is an increased risk of middle ear diseases. Continuous monitoring of the contralateral ear is crucial for early detection and optimal treatment of middle ear disease.

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Conflict of interest

The authors report no conflicts of interest. They alone are responsible for the content and writing of the paper.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Departments of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, School of Medicine, Hanyang University, Haengdang-dong 17, Sungdong-gu, Seoul, 133-792, Korea

    Jae Ho Chung, Seung Hwan Lee, Hyun Jung Min, Chul Won Park, Jin Hyeok Jeong & Kyung Rae Kim

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  1. Jae Ho Chung
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  2. Seung Hwan Lee
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  3. Hyun Jung Min
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  4. Chul Won Park
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  5. Jin Hyeok Jeong
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  6. Kyung Rae Kim
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Correspondence to Seung Hwan Lee.

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Chung, J.H., Lee, S.H., Min, H.J. et al. The clinical and radiological status of contralateral ears in unilateral cholesteatoma patients. Surg Radiol Anat 36, 439–445 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00276-013-1204-3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00276-013-1204-3

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