Congenital cholesteatoma.

Congenital cholesteatoma of the temporal bone may be encountered by the otologist in the cerebellopontine angle, petrous bone, or middle ear cleft; the latter occurrence seems most likely. The etiology, epidemiologic factors, location of intracranial occurrence, clinical features, methods of diagnosis, differential diagnosis, gross and microscopic pathologic features, and surgical treatment of congenital cholesteatoma are presented. Our personal experience is described. The advantages and complications of various operative approaches are discussed.