Abstract Introduction: External auditory canal cholesteatoma (EACC) is a rare condition characterized by the accumulation of desquamating keratin debris in the external auditory canal. It is often misdiagnosed as otitis externa in its early stages and may progress to cause significant bony erosion with potential involvement of adjacent structures. Objective: This study evaluated the treatment outcomes of patients with EACC in a tertiary hospital. Materials and Methods: A retrospective review of the electronic medical records of patients with EACC managed at the Cancelor Tuanku Muhriz Hospital, over 5 years, from January 2020 to December 2024, was conducted. A pro forma was used to extract sociodemographic, clinical information, and treatment outcomes. Disease staging was done according to Shin et al . classification. Results: Eighteen patients (22 ears) were included in the study (mean age: 55.9 ± 21.5 years; median: 68 years), with an equal gender distribution. Otorrhea ( n = 15) and hearing loss ( n = 10) were the most common presentations. Fourteen patients had unilateral, and four had bilateral disease. Idiopathic etiology accounted for most cases ( n = 16), while two were secondary. Six patients were Stage I (6 ears), four Stage II (4 ears), and eight Stage III (12 ears). Eleven patients received conservative management, and seven underwent surgery. Complete symptom resolution occurred in 10 patients, whereas eight had partial resolution. No significant association was found between treatment outcomes and sociodemographic, clinical, or disease-related factors. Conclusion: EACC is an uncommon condition in otology. Both conservative and surgical treatment approaches are associated with a favorable outcome.
Jibril et al. (Wed,) studied this question.