Patterns of cholesteatoma extension in chronic otitis media

Objective: to analyze the patterns of extension of cholesteatoma during surgery for chronic otitis media. methodology: a retrospective review was made of all cholesteatoma surgery in otology center within 6 years. data included demographic data and the patterns of extension of cholesteatoma. results: one hundred sixty six patients, 86 (51.8%) males and 80 (48.2%) females, who were admitted with clinical diagnosis of chronic suppurative otitis media, with cholesteatoma. analysis of the patterns of extension of cholesteatoma, showed that the tympanic cavity was involved in (91.6%), mastoid cavity in (74%) and eustachian orifice in (42%) of our patients. in the tympanic cavity, oval window (46%) and sinus tympani (40%) were involved. the most common patterns of extension included tympanic cavity. attic and antrum involvement were greater than attic only. conclusion: this study showed that despite decrease in chronic otitis media cases; still there is extensive extension of cholesteatoma in various part of temporal bone in different patients