LXVII. The Etiologic Factors in the Formation of Cholesteatoma

The presence of cholesteatoma complicating a chronic suppurative otitis media has long been considered a cardinal indication for radical surgery. However, in many instances the patients will refuse to undergo a major operation for what they consider to be a minor ailment, in spite of protestations by the doctor of the potential seriousness of the infection. It has, therefore, been found necessary to treat these patients conservatively, whether or not surgery would seem to be indicated. The good results frequently obtained by treating these patients have led us to advocate conservative treatment for many of the cases with cholesteatoma on whom we formerly advised the employment of radical surgery.