Cholesterol granuloma of the petrous apex. A post mortem study on temporal bones

F. Salvinelli, F. Greco, M. Trivelli, F.H. Linthicum Jr*

Institute of Otolaryngology, “Campus Bio-Medico” University – Rome (Italy)
*Department of Histopathology, “House Ear Institute” – Los Angeles, CA (USA)

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• Otorhinolaryngology

Abstract. – Otitis media (OM) is an infection localized in the middle ear: mastoid, middle ear cavity, Eustachian tube. The classification of OM includes otitis media with effusion, otititis media without effusion, and chronic otitis media. A rare complication of chronic otitis is cholesterol granuloma of the petrous apex. It may develop in any aerated portion of the temporal bone but most commonly develops when a pathologic process obstruct the air cell tracts to the petrous apex preventing normal aeration.