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Tympanic membrane keratoma (cholesteatoma) in children with no prior otologic surgery
Author(s) -
Smith Ray,
Moran Willard B.
Publication year - 1977
Publication title -
the laryngoscope
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.181
H-Index - 148
eISSN - 1531-4995
pISSN - 0023-852X
DOI - 10.1288/00005537-197702000-00011
Subject(s) - myringotomy , cholesteatoma , eardrum , medicine , basal (medicine) , otitis , middle ear , surgery , audiology , radiology , insulin
Three children whose eardrums appeared normal upon previous examinations, one with the otomicroscope, apparently developed tympanic membrane cholesteatomas that penetrated the fibrous layer of the pars tensa. Their histories all included episodes of acute otitis media, but no otorrhea. No otologic surgical procedures, including myringotomy, had been performed. These cases are thought to provide clinical support for the basal epithelial migration theory of cholesteatoma genesis. Rüedi's experiments suggest that cholesteatomas resulting from basal epithelial migration may not be visible for 18 to 30 days; thus, follow‐up evaluations after acute otitis media should probably include examinations one and two months after the infection. Pediatricians and family physicians should be urged to seek otologic consultation for patients with even minor eardrum abnormalities, particularly those following infection.