Role of vitamin A in the evolution of cholesteatoma.

The role of vitamin A in the maintenance of epithelial integrity is well known. Several animal studies have dealt with the induction of cholesteatoma in vitamin A deficiency states and prevention and treatment of otitis media with vitamin A treatment. We treated five patients of cholesteatoma with vitamin A oral supplements and no other treatment and found significant resolution of cholesteatoma in four patients. Though this may not be an explanation in every case of cholesteatoma, our study highlights that there is a subset of patients with vitamin A deficient cholesteatoma who could substantially benefit from intervention with this wonderful vital amine.