Int. Adv. Otol. 2011; 7:(2) 263-267

Extracranial and Temporal Lobe Abscesses Resulting from Cholesteatoma Associated with Congenital Aural Atresia
Dragoslava Djeric, Milan B. Jovanovic, Ivan Baljosevic, Srbislav Blazic
Institute for Otorhinolaringology and Maxillofacial Surgery, Medical School, University of Belgrade, Serbia

Objective of this to report an extremely rare case of cholesteatoma (CS) associated with congenital aural atresia (CAA), resulting in extracranial and temporal lobe abscesses. A 14-year-old boy presented with severe ear pain, right temporal swelling, headache and high fever. Presentation of patient's data, CT imaging and surgical treatment were reviewed. On computerised tomography (CT) he was found to have CAA of the right ear and an extensive CS underlying an extracranial and a temporal lobe abscess. The brain abscess was evacuated through lateral craniotomy. The CS was subsequently removed by modified radical mastoidectomy. CS associated to CAA may remain undiagnosed in early childhood, resulting in life a threatening cerebral abscess formation. Timely detection of hearing loss with CT evaluation would allow for accurate diagnosis and may prevent complications.