Recidivism and Recurrence.

Recidivistic cholesteatoma encompasses residual as well as recurrent disease, and can occur in up to 61% of cases. Pediatric disease may have a higher propensity for recidivism. Serial physical examination and MRI including non-EPI DWI sequences are useful in surveillance. Canal wall down approaches with mastoid obliteration may be an approach to reduce recidivism while minimizing the need for mastoid cavity maintenance. Modern techniques of Eustachian tube dilation and endoscopic ear surgery may yet prove particularly helpful in reducing re-retraction and residual disease in the retrotympanum, respectively; however, they require further study.

MRI-DWI detection of residual cholesteatoma: moving toward an optimum follow-up scheme.

PURPOSE: To analyse diagnostic accuracy of MRI-DWI in detecting residual disease after cholesteatoma surgery and propose an optimum follow-up (FU) scheme. METHOD: A retrospective chart review of patients who had cholesteatoma surgery in a tertiary referral centre. 3.0 T non-echo planar diffusion weighted imaging was performed as part of routine FU or indicated on the basis of clinical suspicion of disease. Imaging outcome was verified per-operatively during a second-look procedure or ossicular chain reconstruction. Diagnostic parameters were calculated and stratified by FU length. RESULTS: For the FU of 664 cholesteatoma surgeries, 1208 MRI-DWI were obtained and 235 second-look procedures were performed. Most MRI-DWI were obtained within 1.5 yrs of surgery. In this period, significantly less true positive MRI-DWI and significantly more false negative MRI-DWI for residual disease were found compared to other FU periods. Scanning after approximately 3 yrs yielded a significantly higher rate of true positive MRI-DWI, while sensitivity surpassed 80%. Younger patients had a higher risk of developing residual disease. Patients undergoing canal wall up surgery, as well as patients < 12 yrs, were at risk for false negative MRI-DWI. Obliteration reduces the risk of residual disease, while leading to less false negative MRI-DWI. CONCLUSION: A novel radiologic FU scheme for detecting residual disease is suggested for stable ears after cholesteatoma surgery: standard MRI-DWI approximately 3 and 5 yrs after primary surgery, as well as MRI-DWI after approximately 9 yrs for patients with specific risk factors (i.e., patients < 12 yrs or patients undergoing canal wall up surgery without obliteration).

Predicting residual cholesteatoma with the Potsic staging system still lacks evidence: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

PURPOSE: To investigate the rate of residual disease in the Potsic staging system for congenital cholesteatomas. METHODS: A protocol registration was published on PROSPERO (CRD42022383932), describing residual disease as a primary outcome and hearing improvement as secondary. A systematic search was performed in four databases (PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, Web of Science) on December 14, 2022. Articles were included if cholesteatomas were staged according to the Potsic system and follow-up duration was documented. Risk of bias was evaluated using the Quality In Prognosis Studies (QUIPS) tool. In the statistical synthesis a random effects model was used. Between-study heterogeneity was assessed using I2. RESULTS: Thirteen articles were found to be eligible for systematic review and seven were included in the meta-analysis section. All records were retrospective cohort studies with high risk of bias. Regarding the proportions of residual disease, analysis using the χ2 test showed no statistically significant difference between Potsic stages after a follow-up of minimum one year (stage I 0.06 (confidence interval (CI) 0.01-0.33); stage II 0.20 (CI 0.09-0.38); stage III 0.06 (CI 0.00-0.61); stage IV: 0.17 (CI 0.01-0.81)). Postoperative and preoperative hearing outcomes could not be analyzed due to varied reporting. Results on cholesteatoma location and mean age at staging were consistent with those previously published. CONCLUSION: No statistically significant difference was found in the proportions of residual disease between Potsic stages, thus the staging system's applicability for outcome prediction could not be proven based on the available data. Targeted studies are needed for a higher level of evidence.

Prognostic role of EAONO/JOS, STAMCO, and ChOLE Staging for Exclusive Endoscopic and Endoscopic-Microscopic Tympanoplasty.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study is to evaluate cholesteatoma's surgical outcomes in patients treated with endoscopic ear surgery (EES) or a combined endoscopic-microscopic approach (cEMA) according to STAM, STAMCO, ChOLE, and EAONO/JOS system (EJS) classifications and staging. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective study. SETTING: Monocentric study in a tertiary referral center. METHODS: One-hundred sixty-eight patients who underwent EES or cEMA for cholesteatoma between 2010 and 2018 were classified according to the abovementioned classification and staging. Data on cholesteatoma's recurrence and residual rates were collected. Inferential statistical analysis was performed to evaluate surgical outcomes and the prognostic value of classifications and staging. RESULTS: The recurrence rate was significantly lower in cholesteatomas classified in EJS stage 1 (2.6%) and STAM stage 1 (0%). A comparison of the different stages of the disease showed a significantly lower recurrence only for stage 1 versus the superior stages of both classifications. Involvement of mastoid bone was associated with a higher risk of recurrence (odds ratio [OR]: 4.12; p = .031). Attical involvement was associated with a higher risk of residual cholesteatoma (OR: 1.165; p = .046). CONCLUSION: EES or cEMA represents an effective treatment for middle ear cholesteatoma. The STAM classification and the EJS have shown a prognostic value, with STAM 1 and EAONO-JOS 1 stages associated with a better prognosis. Mastoid involvement represents a risk factor for recurrence. Attic localization is associated with residual disease. Localization at difficult access sites did not implicate a higher risk for recurrence or residual. ChOLE classification, Ossicular chain status, and complication status did not provide prognostic information regarding recurrence or residual cholesteatoma.

Efficiency of intraoperative endoscopic inspection in reducing residuals in canal-wall-up surgery for pediatric cholesteatoma involving the mastoid.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the efficiency of additional intraoperative endoscopic inspection in reducing residual cholesteatoma in pediatric cholesteatoma involving the mastoid treated with classic canal-wall-up mastoidectomy and tympanoplasty. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 32 cases of pediatric cholesteatoma involving the mastoid were enrolled in this perspective study and treated with classic canal-wall-up mastoidectomy and tympanoplasty. Transmastoid posterior tympanotomy, atticotomy and transecting tendon of tympani tensor were conducted to achieve adequate visualization of hidden spaces in the middle ear. After complete removal of cholesteatoma, endoscopic inspection was additionally performed to check residual cholesteatoma. All cases had at least a 2-year follow-up by routine otoscopy examination, CT scan or MR imaging. Residual rates of both intraoperative and follow-up findings were used to evaluate the efficiency of the endoscopic inspection in reducing residual cholesteatoma and compared with published reports. RESULTS: The additional intraoperative endoscopic inspection did not find any residual in this case series. In the 2-year follow-up, 2 cases (2/32, 6.3%) with residual cholesteatoma and 3 cases with recurrence (3/32, 9.4%) were found. The mean duration of endoscopic inspection and microscopic procedure were 17.9 min and 93.6 min, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: This study suggested that the additional intraoperative endoscopic inspection in microscopic CWU surgery for pediatric cholesteatoma involving the mastoid had no obvious value in reducing residual cholesteatoma but took extra time.

Post-operative MRI detection of residual cholesteatoma in pediatric patients - The yield of serial scans over a long follow-up.

OBJECTIVES: Non-echo-planar diffusion weighted magnetic resonance imaging (Non-EPI DWI MRI) is commonly used for follow-up after cholesteatoma surgery. MRI has a critical role in the evaluation of residual disease, where physical examination will commonly demonstrate an intact tympanic membrane. The aim of our study was to assess the timing of residual cholesteatoma identification on serial MRI scans and the yield of MRI follow up after canal wall up tympano-mastoidectomy. METHODS: A retrospective chart review of children that underwent canal wall up tympano-mastoidectomy due to cholesteatoma in Schneider Children's Medical Center during 2004-2016, and were followed up both clinically and with MRI. RESULTS: Seventy-seven children (89 ears) were included, who altogether underwent 166 surgeries (77 revisions). Average follow-up was 66 ± 34.4 months. During follow up, 244 scans were performed; 19 cases of residual disease were diagnosed by MRI and confirmed in surgery. The mean time from surgery and an MRI positive for residual disease was 29.7 ± 16 months (range: 10-66). In 9/19 cases (47%), at least one negative MRI preceded the scan positive for residual disease, and in 4 cases at least two initial scans were negative. CONCLUSIONS: MRI plays an important role in the diagnosis of residual disease after cholesteatoma surgery. In our cohort. Almost half of the cases diagnosed with residual disease had at least one negative scan prior to the positive one, emphasizing the importance of close radiological follow-up with serial scans after surgery.

[Predictors of recurrent pathology and prognosis of the results of surgical treatment of patients with acquired middle-ear cholesteatoma]. / Prediktory retsidiviruyushchei patologii i prognoz rezul'tatov khirurgicheskogo lecheniya patsientov s priobretennoi kholesteatomoi srednego ukha.

A retrospective analysis of the results of surgical treatment of 436 patients (332 adults and 104 children under the age of 15 years) with acquired middle ear cholesteatoma was performed to identify possible predictors of relapse of the process and a prospective assessment of the results of surgical treatment. It was revealed that the leading factors in the development of residual pathology were: the presence of cholesteatoma in the area of destruction of the bone wall of the canal of the facial nerve, cholesteatoma of the hypothympanum, cholesteatoma in the place of destruction of the bone wall of the posterior cranial fossa. The key reasons for the formation of recurrent pathology were: children under 15 years of age, closed surgery, pathological changes in the tympanic orifice of the auditory tube and the presence of cholesteatoma in its lumen. Performing a closed operation in adults with pathology of the tympanic orifice of the auditory tube increases the risk of recurrent cholesteatoma by 18.6%, and in children by 20%. The choice of a closed method of surgical intervention for the epitympanic type of the disease can increase the risk of residual pathology by 17.2% in adults and 27.8% in children.

Identification of risk factors for residual cholesteatoma in children and adults: a retrospective study on 110 cases of revision surgery / Identificação de fatores de risco para colesteatoma residual em crianças e adultos: um estudo retrospectivo de 110 casos de cirurgia revisionais

Abstract Introduction: Residual disease after cholesteatoma removal is still a challenge for the otorhinolaryngologist. Scheduled "second-look" surgery and, more recently, radiological screenings are used to identify residual cholesteatoma as early as possible. However, these procedures are cost-intensive and are accompanied by discomfort and risks for the patient. Objective: To identify anamnestic, clinical, and surgery-related risk factors for residual cholesteatoma. Methods: The charts of 108 patients, including children as well as adults, having undergone a second-look or revision surgery after initial cholesteatoma removal at a tertiary referral hospital, were analyzed retrospectively. Results: Gender, age, mastoid pneumatization, prior ventilation tube insertion, congenital cholesteatoma, erosion of ossicles, atticotomy, resection of chorda tympani, different reconstruction materials, and postoperative otorrhea did not emerge as statistically significant risk factors for residual disease. However, prior adenoid removal, cholesteatoma growth to the sinus tympani and to the antrum and mastoid, canal-wall-up 2 ways approach, and postoperative retraction and perforation were associated with a statistically higher rate of residual disease. A type A tympanogram as well as canal-wall-down plus reconstruction 2 ways approach for extended epitympanic and for extended epitympanic and mesotympanic cholesteatomas were associated with statistically lower rates of residual disease. A score including the postoperative retraction or perforation of the tympanic membrane, the quality of the postoperative tympanogram and the intraoperative extension of the cholesteatoma to the sinus tympani and/or the antrum was elaborated and proved to be suitable for predicting residual cholesteatoma with acceptable sensitivity and high specificity. Conclusion: Cholesteatoma extension to the sinus tympani, antrum and mastoid makes a residual disease more likely. The canal-wall-down plus reconstruction 2 ways approach seems safe with similar rates of residual cholesteatoma and without the known disadvantages of canal-wall-down surgery. The described score can be useful for identifying patients who need a postoperative radiological control and a second-look surgery.

Resumo Introdução: A doença residual após a remoção do colesteatoma ainda é um desafio para o otorrinolaringologista. A cirurgia revisional programada e, mais recentemente, exames radiológicos são usados para identificar o colesteatoma residual o mais precocemente possível. Entretanto, esses procedimentos são dispendiosos e acompanhados de desconforto e riscos para o paciente. Objetivo: Identificar fatores de risco anamnésicos, clínicos e relacionados à cirurgia para o colesteatoma residual. Método: Foram analisados retrospectivamente os prontuários de 108 pacientes, crianças e adultos, que passaram por revisão cirúrgica após a remoção inicial do colesteatoma em um hospital terciário de referência. Resultados: Sexo, idade, pneumatização da mastoide, inserção anterior de tubo de ventilação, colesteatoma congênito, erosão dos ossículos, aticotomia, ressecção da corda do tímpano, diferentes materiais de reconstrução e otorreia pós-operatória não se mostraram fatores de risco estatisticamente significantes para a ocorrência de doença residual. Entretanto, remoção prévia da adenoide, crescimento do colesteatoma para o interior do seio timpânico e para o antro e a mastoide, abordagem de duas vias com canal wall-up e retração e perfuração pós-operatórias foram associados a uma taxa estatisticamente maior de doença residual. Um timpanograma tipo A, assim como a reconstrução de duas vias com a abordagem canal wall-down para colesteatomas com extensão para o recesso epitimpânico e/ou extensão epitimpânica e mesotimpânica, foram associados com taxas estatisticamente menores da doença residual. Um escore, que incluiu a retração ou perfuração pós-operatória da membrana timpânica, a qualidade do timpanograma pós-operatório e a extensão intraoperatória do colesteatoma para o seio timpânico e/ou antro, foi elaborado e se mostrou adequado para predizer colesteatoma residual com sensibilidade aceitável e alta especificidade. Conclusão: A extensão do colesteatoma para o seio timpânico, antro e mastoide torna a doença residual mais provável. A abordagem do tipo canal wall-down mais a reconstrução de 2 vias parecem seguras com taxas semelhantes de colesteatoma residual e sem as desvantagens conhecidas da cirurgia do tipo canal wall-down. O escore descrito pode ser útil para identificar pacientes que necessitam de controle radiológico pós-operatório e cirurgia revisional.

Identification of risk factors for residual cholesteatoma in children and adults: a retrospective study on 110 cases of revision surgery.

INTRODUCTION: Residual disease after cholesteatoma removal is still a challenge for the otorhinolaryngologist. Scheduled "second-look" surgery and, more recently, radiological screenings are used to identify residual cholesteatoma as early as possible. However, these procedures are cost-intensive and are accompanied by discomfort and risks for the patient. OBJECTIVE: To identify anamnestic, clinical, and surgery-related risk factors for residual cholesteatoma. METHODS: The charts of 108 patients, including children as well as adults, having undergone a second-look or revision surgery after initial cholesteatoma removal at a tertiary referral hospital, were analyzed retrospectively. RESULTS: Gender, age, mastoid pneumatization, prior ventilation tube insertion, congenital cholesteatoma, erosion of ossicles, atticotomy, resection of chorda tympani, different reconstruction materials, and postoperative otorrhea did not emerge as statistically significant risk factors for residual disease. However, prior adenoid removal, cholesteatoma growth to the sinus tympani and to the antrum and mastoid, canal-wall-up 2 ways approach, and postoperative retraction and perforation were associated with a statistically higher rate of residual disease. A type A tympanogram as well as canal-wall-down plus reconstruction 2 ways approach for extended epitympanic and for extended epitympanic and mesotympanic cholesteatomas were associated with statistically lower rates of residual disease. A score including the postoperative retraction or perforation of the tympanic membrane, the quality of the postoperative tympanogram and the intraoperative extension of the cholesteatoma to the sinus tympani and/or the antrum was elaborated and proved to be suitable for predicting residual cholesteatoma with acceptable sensitivity and high specificity. CONCLUSION: Cholesteatoma extension to the sinus tympani, antrum and mastoid makes a residual disease more likely. The canal-wall-down plus reconstruction 2 ways approach seems safe with similar rates of residual cholesteatoma and without the known disadvantages of canal-wall-down surgery. The described score can be useful for identifying patients who need a postoperative radiological control and a second-look surgery.

Canal wall-down procedure with soft posterior meatal wall reconstruction in acquired cholesteatoma: focus on postoperative middle ear status.

OBJECTIVES: We reviewed surgical results of canal wall-down tympanoplasty (CWDT) with soft posterior meatal wall reconstruction (SWR) for acquired cholesteatoma (AC), and identified factors associated with surgical outcomes. METHODS: Results from 119 ears with AC (pars flaccida, n = 99; pars tensa, n = 20) that underwent CWDT with SWR were retrospectively reviewed. We defined postoperative balloon-like retraction (PBR) with web formation, which needed reoperation to clean accumulated cerumen, as postoperative deep retraction pocket (PDRP). RESULTS: Residual cholesteatoma was found in 11 ears (9.2%). Seven residual cholesteatomas were treated with outpatient operation. Seven ears (5.9%) showed PDRP. A transcanal approach was applied to all PDRPs. Postoperative mastoid reaeration was observed in 57 ears (47.9%). No factors significantly associated with residual cholesteatoma or PDRP were identified. The frequency of postoperative mastoid reaeration was significantly higher among cases with young age (<50 years), stage I cholesteatoma, or type I ossiculoplasty. CONCLUSION: CWDT with SWR showed low rates of residual cholesteatoma or postoperative deep retraction pocket (PDRP). Most residual cholesteatomas and PDRPs could be dealt with using a minimally invasive procedure. Young age, stage I cholesteatoma, and type I ossiculoplasty were associated with postoperative mastoid reaeration. This procedure seems fully feasible for surgical treatment of AC.

Magnetic resonance imaging at one year for detection of postoperative residual cholesteatoma in children: Is it too early?

OBJECTIVE: To compare the residual cholesteatoma detection accuracy of diffusion-weighted (DW) and T1 delayed sequences for magnetic resonance at one year postoperative with second-look surgery in pediatric patients who have undergone primary middle ear surgery for cholesteatoma. METHODS: This was a prospective monocentric consecutive study conducted in a tertiary academic referral center. Children were referred for MR imaging (MRI) one year after surgery. A 1.5T MRI was utilized, using nonecho-planar DW images and delayed gadolinium-enhanced T1-weighted images. Accuracy of magnetic resonance imaging was assessed by two radiologists before surgery. Interobserver and intraobserver agreements were assessed using the κ test. Magnetic resonance imaging data were compared with surgery, which was considered as the gold standard. RESULTS: Twenty-four consecutive unselected pediatric patients were included. Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value for the first observer were of 40%, 86%, 67%, and 67%, respectively, and those for the second observer were 30%, 86%, 60%, and 63%, respectively. The only two cholesteatoma with a size superior to 3mm were diagnosed before surgery, but the majority of small cholesteatoma were not detected. CONCLUSIONS: MRI is a key examen to diagnosed the residual cholesteatoma but is limited by the size of the lesion under 3mm. Delaying the realization of MRI during follow-up could increase sensitivity, thus avoiding misdiagnosis as well as unnecessary second look surgery.