Vascular Strip Cholesteatoma- A Case Report

The incidence of cholesteatoma occurring as a result of tympanoplasty is extremely rare. Understanding the cause and preventing its occurrence in the future is the main intention of highlighting this peculiar presentation.   Case Report: A 25-year-old woman presented with progressive hearing loss and blocked sensation in the left ear of one and a half months duration. Past history revealed a history of left myringoplasty six years prior to presentation. Clinical examination of the ear revealed a smooth, soft epithelium covered bulge in the lateral one-third of the floor and posterior wall of the left external auditory canal. HRCT and MRI of the temporal bone confirmed the presence of a soft tissue density in the mastoid. Pure tone audiometry revealed conductive hearing loss. She underwent mastoid exploration, removal of sac with soft wall reconstruction.   Proper placement of the vascular strip with the skin lining the external auditory canal with approximation of the incision margins is essential to prevent iatrogenic cholesteatoma formation. Close follow-up is essential to prevent any recurrence and diffusion weighted MRI plays a vital role in detection of recurrence.