Cholesterol granuloma associated with otitis media in a cat

An 8-year-old, male neutered Siamese cat was presented with Horner syndrome and right head tilt. A soft tissue mass was observed in the right tympanic cavity, and bulla osteotomy was performed. Tissue samples retrieved from the tympanic cavity were sent for histology, and a middle ear fluid swab was sent for bacterial culture and sensitivity. Histologic diagnosis was of otitis media associated with cholesterol granuloma (CG). Bacterial culture yielded Pasteurella multocida and Leifsonia ( Corynebacterium) aquaticum. Middle ear CG is frequently seen in human beings and is associated with a variety of middle ear diseases including otitis media. Cholesterol granuloma of the middle ear has been experimentally induced in cats. The clinical and pathological findings of a spontaneous case of CG in the tympanic cavity of a cat with otitis media are described herein.