[The status of contralateral ear in children with cholesteatoma].

INTRODUCTION Recently published data indicate that over 60% of patients with middle ear cholesteatoma (MEC) have concomitant changes in the contralateral ear (CE). Studies concerning the condition of the CE are few and rarely present the situation in the pediatric population. THE AIM OF THIS STUDY was to assess the frequency of pathological changes occurring in the CE in children operated on MEC, as well as to determine their clinical evolution. MATERIAL AND METHOD Retrospective analysis was performed on basis of medical records of 193 patients treated surgically for MEC in 1998-2008 at the Department of Pediatric Otolaryngology in Bialystok. The comparison of otoscopic evaluation before first operation with the latest examination was undertaken. The evolution of abnormalities was analyzed and the effect of age and type of cholesteatoma was assessed. RESULTS The opposite ears were abnormal in 46.1% of patients. Most frequently observed changes in the CE were retraction pockets (23%). Cholesteatoma was found in 8 of 45 identified cases of retraction pocket. The incidence of abnormalities in the CE was not correlated with patients age or type of cholesteatoma. Cholesteatoma occurred on both sides in 9,3% of children. In these cases, the attic cholesteatoma was presented in 66.67%, tensa cholesteatoma in 16.67%. CONCLUSIONS In patients with MEC contralateral ear should be systematically examined to detect early any abnormality, or to assess their evolution and take appropriate treatment.