Pediatric Cholesteatoma: Canal Wall Window Alternative to Canal Wall Down Mastoidectomy

Principles of Cholesteatoma Management

Surgery for cholesteatoma should be tailored to individual patients, considering demographic and disease factors, to obtain a dry, safe, and functional ear. The EAONO/JOS classification and staging system provide a valuable framework for data collection and outcome assessment. Canal wall-up and canal wall-down surgical approaches each have their advantages and disadvantages, though it is not definitive that one approach is clearly more advantageous than the other. Mastoid obliteration techniques show promise in reducing recidivistic disease rates but require further research and standardization. Endoscopic ear surgery further augments our surgical capabilities to visualize and eradicate cholesteatoma.

Canal wall up versus canal wall down mastoidectomy techniques in the pediatric population with cholesteatoma: A systematic review and meta-analysis of comparative studies

IMPORTANCE

The optimal surgical management of cholesteatoma remains controversial. Within pediatric otolaryngology, one of the most vital points of contention is the selection of canal wall-up (CWU) versus canal wall-down (CWD) procedures. Pediatric cholesteatoma has high rates of recurrence (16%-54%). In adults, there is evidence that the selection of surgical techniques affects recurrence rates. This has not been shown in children.

OBJECTIVES

1. To systematically review the literature on recurrent and residual cholesteatoma after CWU and CWD in children and perform a meta-analysis of the data. 2. To assess the rates of recurrent and residual cholesteatoma between CWU and CWD techniques in pediatric patients. 3. To assess hearing outcomes by evaluating postoperative differences in the air-bone gap (ABG) between CWU and CWD techniques.

DATA SOURCES

A systematic search of PubMed, Embase, Scopus, and Cochrane Collaboration was performed from inception to May 1st, 2020, to identify studies that compared CWU and CWD procedures for acquired cholesteatoma in children.

STUDY SELECTION

Search records were screened in duplicate by four reviewers. Inclusion criteria consisted of comparative randomized clinical trials and observational studies assessing outcomes of CWU and CWD techniques in the pediatric population. Studies involving patients with congenital cholesteatoma were excluded.

DATA EXTRACTION AND SYNTHESIS

Four reviewers working independently and in duplicate systematically reviewed and extracted study data. Dichotomous variables were analyzed as risk ratios (RR), while continuous variables were compared using weighted mean differences (MD). The risk of bias was assessed using the CLARITY Scale.

PRIMARY OUTCOMES AND MEASURES

The outcomes were recurrence, residual disease, air-bone gap (ABG), and air conductive (AC) thresholds.

RESULTS

After screening 1036 publications, 17 retrospective cohort studies were selected. 1333 children were included; the overall mean age was ten years (SD 7.9), and the overall mean follow-up time was 5.9 years (SD 6.6). CWU and CWD techniques were performed in 60% (796) and 40% (537) cases. We did not find differences in cholesteatoma recurrence (RR: 1.50, 95% CI 0.94; 2.40; n = 544; I2 0%; Tau [2]: 0.00), or rates of residual cholesteatoma (RR 1.51, 95% CI 0.96; 2.38, n = 506; I2: 0%; Tau [2]: 0.00) in patients who underwent CWU and CWD mastoidectomy. The mean air-bone gap was lower with CWU than CWD (mean difference: 7.60, 95% CI -10.65; -4.54; n = 242; I2: 71%; Tau [2]: 5.98).

CONCLUSION

and relevance: We show similar rates of recurrence and residual disease after either CWU or CWD tympanoplasty. Our results challenge the fundamental principle of CWD surgery as a standard technique, as there is no difference in rates of recurrence and residual disease in CWU and CWD. Moreover, audiometric results support CWU with improved hearing outcomes.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

PROSPERO identifier: CRD42020184029.

Comparison of Outcomes of Open Mastoid Cavity- with or Without Obliteration

For a chronically discharging ear open mastoidectomy is the mainstay of treatment, however it can cause high morbidity due a large cavity and complications like discharge, vertigo and difficulty with hearing aids. To avoid such problem, obliteration of mastoid cavity is done. The objective of our study was to compare the post-operative complains, the hearing results and outcomes of open and closed mastoid cavity. The present prospective study was conducted on 40 patients having attico-antral disease in middle ear cleft. Patients were randomly divided into two groups of 20 each. Out of 40 patients, in 20 patients (Group A) mastoid obliteration was done using conchal cartilage, whereas in other 20 patients (Group B) canal wall down mastoidectomy without mastoid obliteration was done i.e.an open cavity. The patients were followed up post-operatively at 6th week, 3rd month and 6th month. Study Design: comparative study. On Pure Tone Audiometry, 13 (65%) patients with closed mastoid cavity had Air-bone Gap < 30 dB, 7 (35%) were in the range 30-60 dB as compared to open mastoid cavity where 10 (20%), 8 (40%), 2(10%) patients had ABG < 30db, 30-60 dB, and > 60 dB respectively, showing better hearing results in obliterated cavities, healing was also better. In obliterated mastoid cavities, there were very few complications of pain, discharge, and giddiness compared to open cavities. Healing as shown by epithelisation was earlier and better in obliterated cavities. Hearing results were better in mastoid cavities with obliteration compared to open cavities. Patients with obliterated mastoid cavity need less cavity care and doctor dependence.

Canal wall down mastoidectomy with obliteration versus canal wall up mastoidectomy in primary cholesteatoma surgery

OBJECTIVE

This study sought to compare disease recidivism rates between canal wall up mastoidectomy and a canal wall down with obliteration technique.

METHODS

Patients undergoing primary cholesteatoma surgery at our institution over a five-year period (2013-2017) using the aforementioned techniques were eligible for inclusion in the study. Rates of discharge and disease recidivism were analysed using chi-square statistics.

RESULTS

A total of 104 ears (98 patients) were included. The mean follow-up period was 30 months (range, 12-52 months). A canal wall down with mastoid obliteration technique was performed in 55 cases and a canal wall up approach was performed in 49 cases. Disease recidivism rates were 7.3 per cent and 16.3 per cent in the canal wall down with mastoid obliteration and canal wall up groups respectively (p = 0.02), whilst discharge rates were similar (7.3 per cent and 10.2 per cent respectively).

CONCLUSION

Our direct comparative data suggest that canal wall down mastoidectomy with obliteration is superior to a canal wall up technique in primary cholesteatoma surgery, providing a lower recidivism rate combined with a low post-operative ear discharge rate.

Pooled analysis of the evidence for open cavity, combined approach and reconstruction of the mastoid cavity in primary cholesteatoma surgery

BACKGROUND

Cholesteatoma is keratinising epithelium within the middle-ear cleft or mastoid. This disease destroys the peripheral organs of balance and hearing, with possible intracranial sequelae. The management of cholesteatoma is surgical and the primary aim is to remove the disease and prevent recurrence. Secondary aims are to obtain a non-discharging, hearing ear. Cholesteatoma surgery falls into two broad categories: open cavity surgery and combined approach surgery. A third surgical category is reconstruction of an open mastoid cavity after open surgery. This study performed a pooled analysis of the worldwide literature to compare the rates of cholesteatoma not being cured (i.e. recidivism), ear discharge and hearing change among open cavity, combined approach and reconstruction mastoid surgery for primary cholesteatoma.

METHODS

A literature search for all types of cholesteatoma surgery in the PubMed, Google Scholar and Medline databases and in published conference proceedings was undertaken.

RESULTS

There was no level 1 evidence for the best method of primary cholesteatoma surgery. The highest evidence level found (level 2; 5366 patients) shows no difference in hearing change or discharge rate between open and combined approach surgery; however, these methods fail to cure the cholesteatomas in 16.0 per cent and 29.4 per cent of cases, respectively. In a total of 640 patients, reconstruction and/or repair mastoid surgery using a variety of non-comparable techniques had a failure rate of between 5.3 per cent and 20 per cent.

CONCLUSION

The available evidence suggests that reconstruction of the posterior canal wall and/or obliteration of the mastoid may be the best surgical treatment alternative. This technique appears to provide the lowest recidivism rate combined with a low post-operative ear discharge rate.

Endoscopic exclusive transcanal approach to the tympanic cavity cholesteatoma in pediatric patients: our experience

OBJECTIVES

The aim of the present study is to describe our experience in the management of tympanic cavity cholesteatoma in pediatric patients, treated with endoscopic exclusive transcanal approach.

METHODS

A chart review of clinical data and videos from the operations of 54 pediatric patients, undergoing surgery between January 2007 and December 2013, was made. Patients presenting with cholesteatoma involving the tympanic cavity (mesotympanum, epitympanum, protympanum and/or hypotympanum), with no mastoid involvement, were included in the first group and underwent an exclusive transcanalar endoscopic approach (TEA). In case of mastoid extension of the pathology, patients were included in the control group and underwent a canal wall up microscopic technique (CWU).

RESULTS

In this study, 34 males and 20 females, including 5 bilateral cases, giving a total of 59 ears, were reviewed. Median age was 9.6 years (range 4-16 years). 31 cholesteatomas underwent a TEA approach, while 28 underwent a CWU approach, based on inclusion criteria. No differences from congenital vs acquired form was made, due to the difficult to correctly distinguish always the two forms. The ossicular chain was preserved in 26.6% of patients (16 ears): 42% of patients (13 ears) undergoing a transcanal endoscopic approach and 10% of patients undergoing a canal wall up microscopic approach (3 ears) (P=0.006). Second look surgery was executed in 41.6% of patients (25 ears). In partial ossicular prosthesis reconstructions, the mean preoperative pure-tone average was 29.4dB, while the mean postoperative pure-tone average was 27.1dB, with a mean increase of 2.3dB. In total ossicular prosthesis reconstructions, the mean preoperative pure-tone average was 47.8dB, while the mean postoperative pure-tone average was 26.5dB, with a mean increase of 21.3dB. Recurrence rate was 12.9% (4 ears) for the transcanal endoscopic approach group and 17.2% (5 ears) for the canal wall up microscopic approach. Residual disease was present in 26.6%: 19.3% (6 ears) for the transcanal endoscopic approach group and 34.4% (10 ears) for the canal wall up microscopic approach. The mean follow up was 36 months (range 8-88). Kaplan-Meier analysis at 36 months showed a lower recurrence risk for the transcanal endoscopic approach compared with the canal wall up microscopic approach, but this data was not statistically significant (P=0.58).

CONCLUSION

The transcanal endoscopic approach represents a feasible, minimally invasive and conservative technique for the management of pediatric middle ear cholesteatoma.

A review of current progress in acquired cholesteatoma management

The aim of this study was to review recent advances in the management of acquired cholesteatoma. All papers referring to acquired cholesteatoma management were identified in Medline via OVID (1948 to December 2013), PubMed (to December 2013), and Cochrane Library (to December 2013). A total of 86 papers were included in the review. Cholesteatoma surgery can be approached using either a canal wall up (CWU) or canal wall down (CWD) mastoidectomy with or without reconstruction of the middle ear cleft. In recent decades, a variety of surgical modifications have been developed including various "synthesis" techniques that combine the merits of CWU and CWD. The application of transcanal endoscopy has also recently gained popularity; however, difficulties associated with this approach remain, such as the need for one-handed surgery, the inability to provide continuous irrigation/suction, and limitations regarding endoscopic accessibility to the mastoid cavity. Additionally, several recent studies have reported successes in the application of laser-assisted cholesteatoma surgery, which overcomes the conflicting goals of eradicating disease and the preservation of hearing. Nevertheless, the risk of residual disease remains a challenge. Each of the techniques examined in this study presents pros and cons regarding final outcomes, such that any pronouncements regarding the superiority of one technique over another cannot yet be made. Flexibility in the selection of surgical methods according to the context of individual cases is essential in optimizing the outcomes.

Acquired middle ear cholesteatoma in children with cleft palate: experience from 18 surgical cases

OBJECTIVES

To review an institutional experience with the surgical management of middle ear cholesteatoma in children with cleft palate.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We analyzed retrospectively 18 children diagnosed with cleft palate who underwent surgery for acquired middle ear cholesteatoma between 2000 and 2007. The following data were recorded: age, sex, history of ventilation tube insertion, status of the contralateral ear, cholesteatoma location and extension, and surgical technique involved. Cholesteatoma recidivism, stable mastoid cavity and hearing levels were the main outcomes measured.

RESULTS

Follow-up ranged from 5 to 12 years (mean 8 years). Twelve children underwent planned staged canal wall up mastoidectomy: a residual cholesteatoma was found and removed during the second-look procedure in 2 ears (16.6%); two children (16.6%) showed a recurrent cholesteatoma and required conversion to canal wall down mastoidectomy. A modified Bondy technique was chosen in two children with an epitympanic cholesteatoma with an intact tympano-ossicular system, while in the remaining four subjects a canal wall down mastoidectomy was performed because of an irreparable erosion of the postero-superior canal wall: no cases of recurrent cholesteatoma were observed in these 6 children; revision mastoidectomy was needed in one patient for cavity granulation. A postoperative air-bone gap result of 0-20dB was achieved in 11 children (61.1%); in 5 cases (27.7%) postoperative air-bone gap was between 21 and 30dB, while in 2 (11.1%) was >30dB. Bone conduction thresholds remained unaffected in all cases.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results indicate that most cleft palate children with cholesteatoma can be managed with a canal wall up mastoidectomy with low complication rates. In extensive disease with large erosion of the canal wall as well in presence of a retraction pocket in the contralateral ear, a canal wall down mastoidectomy should be considered. In epitympanic cholesteatomas with an intact tympano-ossicular system and mesotympanum free of disease, the modified Bondy procedure is an effective surgical option. As in the general pediatric population, improvement or preservation of hearing can be obtained in most patients.

Chronic otitis media in children: an evidence-based guide for diagnosis and management

AIM

To provide an easy-to-follow evidence-based diagnostic and therapeutic algorithm for the management of chronic otitis media (COM) in children.

MATERIALS/METHODS

Literature review and critical analysis of the available evidence in Medline and other scientific database sources.

DATA SYNTHESIS

Otorrhea and hearing loss are the cardinal symptoms of COM, while oto-microscopy and imaging techniques can confirm the diagnosis. Conservative treatment is acceptable to some extent (i.e. mild cases of COM without cholesteatoma). It involves topical drops (quinolones as first choice drugs- strength of recommendation B), as well as performing aural toilet (strength of recommendation B), and avoiding water ingress. Tympanoplasty without mastoidectomy is expected to improve hearing in cases of non-cholesteatomatous COM (strength of recommendation C), and positively affect the children's quality of life (strength of recommendation B). Less experienced surgeons and inflamed, wet middle ear mucosa represent the two most important factors, which could lead to reperforations (strength of recommendation C). The surgical management of COM with cholesteatoma tends to employ the least invasive surgical technique, in order to obtain a small self-cleaning mastoid cavity, as well as good hearing results (strength of recommendation C).

CONCLUSION

The treatment of choice in most cases of pediatric COM is surgery. Figure 1 proposes a detailed and easy-to-follow evidence-based algorithm with regard to the diagnosis and management of COM in children.

Cholesteatoma surgery in children: long-term results of the inside-out technique

OBJECTIVE

To present the anatomical and functional results of the inside-out technique applied in pediatric cholestetaoma surgery and to evaluate functionality with good hearing results against radicality with lower recurrence rate.

METHODS

Retrospective analysis and evaluation of the postoperative outcome in a consecutive series of 126 children or 130 ears operated between 1992 and 2008. With the inside-out technique, cholesteatoma is eradicated from the epitympanum toward the mastoid and, as a single stage procedure, functional reconstruction of the middle ear is achieved by tympanoossiculoplasty.

RESULTS

In 89.2% of all cases, the ear was dry postoperatively. 80.9% of the ears reached a postoperative air-bone gap of 30 dB or less and the median air conduction hearing threshold was 29 dB; in 60.9% of all cases, hearing was postoperatively improved. The recurrence rate was 16.2% in a mean postoperative follow-up 8.5 years. Altogether, 48 ears (36.9%) underwent revision surgery. The complication rate was 3.1% and involved only minor complications.

CONCLUSION

The inside-out technique allows a safe removal of cholesteatoma from the epitympanum toward the mastoid with a single-stage reconstruction of the ossicular chain. For this reason we support our individual approach, which allows creation of the smallest possible cavity for the size of the cholesteatoma. Our results confirm that the inside-out technique is effective in the treatment of pediatric cholesteatoma.

Surgical treatment of paediatric cholesteatoma: long-term follow up in comparison with adults

OBJECTIVE

This study was designed to analyse long-term results after surgery of acquired (ACH) and congenital cholesteatoma (CCH) of the middle ear in children and compare these with adults.

METHODS

Computer-based analysis of consecutively operated paediatric patients for ACH and CCH in a tertiary referral centre was made in 57 cases under the age of 12 operated 1983-2004 by three surgeons using identical technique. A canal wall down and total reconstruction procedure (TRP) with obliteration of the mastoid cavity, canal wall reconstruction, ossiculoplasty with consistent use of autologous bone and an "aeration enhancement procedure" (AEP) with silicon sheet in selected cases were used. Pre- and post-operative PTA (0.5-3 kHz) and pure-tone average air-bone gap (PTA-ABG) together with surgical parameters were assessed 1, 3 and 6 years following surgery.

RESULTS

Results showed stable hearing over 6 years with low incidence of persistent and recurrent disease comparable with results from adult patients. In nearly half of the cases, silastic sheeting was used. In 21 cases, stapes was eroded. Bone conduction thresholds levels remained unaffected 6 years after surgery. No deaf ears, postoperative facial dysfunction or other lesions related to surgery were observed. Six years after surgery every evaluated ear was found to be water-resistant and infection -free.

CONCLUSION

Our results suggest that one-stage eradication of ACH and CCH in children using total reconstruction procedure (TRP) provide long-term improvement or preservation of hearing, with a low incidence of persistent or recurrent disease. No difference in surgical outcome between children and adults was found.

Canal wall window mastoidectomy for extensive labyrinthine cholesteatoma: total dissection and hearing preservation

This case report highlights outcomes of a 6-year-old patient who preserved functional hearing after complete dissection of an extensive labyrinthine cholesteatoma causing two semicircular canals fistulas with endolymph leak, tympanic and labyrinthine fallopian canal erosion of the facial nerve and internal auditory canal invasion with cerebrospinal fluid leak. The patient preserved 40 dB average of bone conduction threshold and 92% of speech discrimination score at 26 months postoperatively. This article reveals that canal wall window mastoidectomy might be an option even in cases of extensive cholesteatomatous labyrinthine fistula therefore avoiding hearing loss and long life cleaning of a canal wall down mastoid cavity.

Surgical management of cholesteatoma: the two main options and the third way--atticotomy/limited mastoidectomy

Chronic otitis media with cholesteatoma is considered an "unsafe" ear and generally requires surgical management. This is particularly challenging in children due to anatomical, pathophysiological and social reasons. There are different approaches for this objective. The two main options are the canal wall up and canal wall down mastoidectomy. The aim of this article is to compare the advantages and disadvantages of canal wall up and canal wall down method and present the third way of surgical management: the inside-outside approach through an endaural incision. This technique includes atticotomy, atticoantrostomy or mastoidectomy (mostly very limited) according to the size and location of the cholesteatoma. This technique contributes to the successful surgical management of cholesteatoma, eradicating the disease with the creation of small, dry, self-cleaning cavities and no pinna protrusion. Moreover, there is no need for meatoplasty or obliteration. However, we should never forget that in ear surgery the choice of the operative procedure should take into account the needs of the patient, the extent of the disease, and the surgeon's experience.

Inside-out technique cholesteatoma surgery: a retrospective long-term analysis of 604 operated ears between 1992 and 2006

OBJECTIVE

To retrospectively present the experience with 586 patients or 604 ears operated for cholesteatoma.

PATIENTS

All patients, adults and children, with histologically confirmed cholesteatoma and a mean age of 36 years (3 to 86 yr).

INTERVENTION

With the inside-out technique, cholesteatoma is eradicated from the epitympanum toward the mastoid: small cholesteatoma is removed by a transcanal approach, and medium-sized cholesteatoma is removed by a retroauricular atticotomy and cartilaginous reconstruction of the canal wall. An extended cholesteatoma is eradicated by a classical canal wall down radical cavity. A simultaneous reconstruction of the middle ear by tympano-ossiculoplasty is performed.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Postoperative anatomic results with regard to recurrence, intactness of the tympanic membrane, and condition of the ear site. Auditory performance including air-bone gap, auditory threshold and improvement of hearing.

RESULTS

A complete removal of cholesteatoma in 93% of adults and 87% of children (mean postoperative follow-up, 10 yr; range, 2-15 yr) was achieved, with 95% dry ears and a mean air-bone gap of less than 30 dB in 78% postoperatively. Nine percent of all patients were lost to follow-up.

CONCLUSION

The inside-out technique allows the safe removal of cholesteatoma according to the extent of disease combining the advantages of the canal wall down technique with respect to radicality of cholesteatoma removal and of the canal wall up technique with respect to functional results, with the added advantage of single-stage reconstruction.

Tympanoplasty, with or without mastoidectomy, is highly effective for treatment of chronic otitis media in children

CONCLUSION

The overall success rate of tympanoplasty, with or without mastoidectomy, in the treatment of chronic pediatric otitis media, was high and did not depend on patient age, the status of the contralateral ear, the inclusion or absence of surgical mastoidectomy, or the method of mastoidectomy (when this procedure was employed). Tympanoplasty may be expected to improve hearing in cases of chronic otitis media accompanied by perforation, but not in cases of cholesteatoma.

OBJECTIVES

This study analyzed the clinical features of pediatric patents with chronic otitis media undergoing tympanoplasty, with or without mastoidectomy. Follow-up data were examined to determine the effectiveness of these procedures on the course of the patients' conditions.

SUBJECTS AND METHODS

We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 111 children (a total of 119 ears were treated from this group) aged 15 years or less, who underwent surgical treatment for pediatric chronic otitis media. The subjects were composed of children suffering from chronic otitis media with perforation (COMP) (63 ears), and patients presenting chronic otitis media with cholesteatoma (COMC) (56 ears). The mean follow-up period was 40 months. Preoperative and postoperative (at the final follow-up) audiometry and otologic examinations were performed. Data from postoperative otologic examinations and audiometric measurements were accompanied by examination of both the operative ear and the contralateral ear. Surgical success was defined as the presence of an intact tympanic membrane without perforation, retraction, or evidence of recurring cholesteatoma.

RESULTS

The mean ages at the time of operation were 11.1+/-3.3 years for COMP patients and 9.7+/-3.0 years for COMC subjects. Surgical treatments for pediatric COMP and COMC patients included tympanoplasty only in 45 ears (38% of ears treated) and tympanoplasty with mastoidectomy in 74 ears (62%). Most of patients with COMC received tympanoplasty with mastoidectomy. No patient with COMP underwent canal wall-down mastoidectomy. Mean pre-operative air-bone gaps (ABGs) and post-operative ABGs were compared. Significant improvement in ABG was evident in the COMP group, but not in the COMC group. Surgical success rates at follow-up after 6 months and 12 months were 97% and 95%, respectively, in the COMP group. In the COMC patients, surgical success rates at follow-up after 6 months and 12 months were 98% and 93%. There were no significant relationships between surgical success rate and patient age, the status of the contralateral ear, or the extent of surgery.