OSSICULAR STATUS IN CHOLESTEATOMA : A DEPARTMENTAL EXPERIENCE IN A STATE MEDICAL COLLEGE OF WESTBENGAL.

Introduction: Chronic otitis media is a long standing infection of part or whole of middle ear cleft. Its active squamosal variant (cholesteatoma) is most dangerous due to its bone eroding property. Aims & Objective: Background knowledge of ossicular status in cholesteatoma will help us in determining the type of reconstruction needed during the surgery. Material & methods: 60 cases of cholesteama, irrespective of age and sex [diagnosed on the basis of clinical examination , audiological and radiological evaluation] were selected during the study period of two years and their ossicular status were recorded intra-operatively. Results & analysis: Ossicles and their parts getting involved in cholesteatoma cases , in decreasing order are : Lenticular process (in total 50 cases)>Long process of incus (in total 49 cases) > stapes super-structure(in total 29 cases) > body of incus(in total 26 cases)> head of malleus(in total 23 cases)> handle of malleus(in total 10 cases). Ossicular chain defeact in decreasing order are : M-I-S- > M+I-S- > M-I-S+ > M+I-S+. Conclusion: In our study it was found that incus is the most vulnerable ossicle to get involved in cases of active squamosal variety of chronic otitis media where as malleus appeared to be the least susceptible one.