A case of subperiosteal and Bezold's abscesses that occurred in a 60-year-old man with cholesteatoma has been described and the literature reviewed. Bezold's abscess is rarely seen in the current era of antibiotics. The simultaneous occurrence of a subperiosteal abscess in association with cholesteatoma, particularly in an adult, makes this case even more unusual. Although antibiotics have reduced the complications associated with acute otitis media, rare complications still occur and should be recognized by the otolaryngologist.