Congenital cholesteatoma of the middle ear with total atresia of the external auditory canal: two cases report

Congenital stenosis and atresia of the external auditory canal are the most common developmental anomalies of the external ear. Cases of combination of these malformations with cholesteatoma of the temporal bone have been repeatedly described in the world literature. This combined pathology is more typical of congenital stenosis of the external auditory canal. Total atresia of the external auditory canal is rarely associated with cholesteatoma. Cholesteatoma found behind the atretic plate is classified as congenital, excluding other possible mechanisms of it's formation. The article presents two clinical cases of a combination of congenital cholesteatoma and complete atresia of the external auditory canal: in an 8-year old girl and a 19-year old boy without the development of intratemporal and extratemporal complications.