Key points
- Detection and radical removal of even microscopic residuals is
required to prevent re-growth and complications of middle ear
cholesteatoma.
- Despite technical advancements regarding the visual control of the
middle ear as offered by the endoscopic approach, the complete
eradication of the squamous cell matrix from the middle ear is still a
surgical challenge.
- Digital enhancement technologies are applicable to EES and appear to
improve the overall accuracy in detecting of cholesteatoma remnants
compared to white light endoscopy.
- White light (and the corresponding Clara enhancement) showed the
greatest specificity and can be used during all surgical steps.
- The Spectra B modality showed the highest sensitivity for
cholesteatoma remnants detection and can be recommended for the final
overview.