Cholesterol Granuloma of the External Ear Canal: A Rare Presentation

Abstract

Almost all aural cholesterol granulomas develop in the mucosa of the middle ear. We describe the case of a 14-yearold girl who presented with an asymptomatic, nontender, dark-blue, cystic lesion in the posteroinferior portion of the left ear canal. The mass was excised via a postauricular approach. Postoperatively, the mass was identifi ed as a cholesterol granuloma on pathologic examination. To the best of our knowledge, this is the fi rst reported case of a human cholesterol granuloma limited to the external ear canal.

Cholesterol Granuloma of the External Auditory Canal and Skull Base

“…2 Yet another patient presented with an asymptomatic, nontender, cystic lesion of the EAC. 5 Other patients may present with a blue and bulging tympanic membrane, tinnitus, vertigo, cerebrospinal fluid leak, and headaches, and possibly facial nerve paralysis depending on the extension and origin of the lesion. 1,2 A temporal bone CT scan can reveal a wellcircumscribed lesion with adjacent bony erosion.…”