Cholesterol granuloma surrounding the endolymphatic sac

Auris Nasus Larynx. 2007 Mar;34(1):95-100. doi: 10.1016/j.anl.2006.05.016. Epub 2006 Aug 17.

Abstract

We report a unique case of cholesterol granuloma (CG) surrounding the endolymphatic sac (ES). A 49-year-old man presented with the left side of sensorineural hearing loss, tinnitus, and vertigo. Magnetic resonance and computed tomography imaging revealed a CG surrounding the left ES. The patient initially underwent left transmastoid surgical resection of the tumor. At the time of surgery, brown fluid was aspirated from the tumor, but no other tumors were found. Histopathological examination revealed that the tumor contained cholesterol crystals, confirming the diagnosis of CG. At his 12-month postoperative follow-up, there was no evidence of recurrence. We discuss the radiology, pathology, and surgical removal of CGs surrounding ES.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Audiometry, Pure-Tone
  • Caloric Tests
  • Cholesterol*
  • Endolymphatic Sac*
  • Evoked Potentials, Auditory, Brain Stem / physiology
  • Granuloma, Foreign-Body / complications
  • Granuloma, Foreign-Body / diagnosis*
  • Granuloma, Foreign-Body / surgery
  • Hearing Loss, Sensorineural / diagnosis
  • Hearing Loss, Sensorineural / etiology
  • Humans
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging
  • Male
  • Mastoid / surgery
  • Middle Aged
  • Otologic Surgical Procedures / methods
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed

Substances

  • Cholesterol