Magnetic Resonance (MR) Imaging in the Post Operative Follow-up of Cholesteatoma in Children

Classical imaging techniques are inaccurate to detect residual cholesteatoma. The aim of our study is to evaluate the value of diffusion-weighted MR imaging and delayed contrast enhanced T1 weighted spin-echo sequences in the detection of residual cholesteatoma in children, in a large serie of surgically verified cases.

Classical imaging techniques are inaccurate to detect residual cholesteatoma. Thin-section CT detects that the postoperative cavity is filled with a soft tissue mass. Classical MR imaging (T2 and T1 weighted spin-echo sequences) can not provide additionnal information about the nature of this filling : cholesteatoma, granulation or fibrous tissue.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Female or male child enters 5 and 18 years
• Child having benefited from a surgical operation for cholesteatoma of the average ear acquired or congenital, one-sided or bilateral
• Child for whom an additional operating time is indicated
• Child without contraindication in the MRI
• Child having signed a enlightened assent
• Child among whom the parents or the legal representatives signed a enlightened assent

Exclusion Criteria:

• Child of less than 5 years old and more than 18 years
• Child presenting a chronic renal insufficiency
• Child for whom an additional operating time is not indicated
• Child having a contraindication in the MRI
• Child not having signed the assent or the parents of which did not sign the assent