Spontaneous cholesteatoma of the external auditory canal

Spontaneous cholesteatoma of the external auditory canal is a rare disease which may also be under diagnosed. Few cases have been reported even in major otology centers. Possible theories as to the aetiology are based on observation of these few cases. The correct diagnosis allows the proper treatment avoiding the progression of the cholesteatoma and further hearing loss or other complications. The authors review five cases and discuss the possibility that it is the anatomic structure of the bony external auditory canal bone that might contribute to the etiopathogenesis of these cholesteatomas.