Theories of Cholesteatoma - Wittmack, Habermann, Ruedi, Sade

🦻 Origin of Cholesteatoma – Theories Explained

Understanding how cholesteatoma originates is extremely important for exams and clinical correlation. There are multiple theories explaining its development, broadly divided into:

• Congenital cholesteatoma
• Acquired cholesteatoma

🧬 Congenital Cholesteatoma – Embryonic Cell Rest Theory

Congenital cholesteatoma develops due to the persistence of embryonic epidermal cell rests.

🔹 Mechanism

• During embryogenesis, keratinizing squamous epithelial cell rests may become entrapped in:
  • Middle ear cleft
  • Temporal bone
• Normally, these cell rests regress and disappear
• If they persist and proliferate, they accumulate keratin and form a congenital cholesteatoma

🧠 Theories of Acquired Cholesteatoma

There are four main theories explaining acquired cholesteatoma formation.

1️⃣ Wittmaack’s Theory (Invagination / Retraction Pocket Theory)

This is the most widely accepted theory.

🔹 Pathogenesis

• Eustachian tube dysfunction → persistent negative middle ear pressure

• Leads to invagination of tympanic membrane

  • Usually at:
    • Attic (pars flaccida)
    • Posterior superior pars tensa

• This invagination forms a retraction pocket

• Outer layer of tympanic membrane is keratinizing squamous epithelium

• After invagination:

  • This epithelium forms the matrix of cholesteatoma
  • Keratin starts accumulating in the pocket

• With persistent negative pressure and inflammation:

  • Retraction pocket deepens
  • Self-cleaning mechanism is lost
  • Desquamated keratin accumulates

🔹 Secondary Infection

• Bacteria infect keratin debris

• Biofilm formation occurs

• Results in:

  • Chronic infection
  • Epithelial proliferation
  • Progressive cholesteatoma

2️⃣ Ruedi’s Theory (Basal Cell Hyperplasia Theory)

🔹 Pathogenesis

• Chronic infection stimulates basal cells of the germinal layer of skin

• Basal cells proliferate excessively

• Leads to formation of epithelial cones

🔹 Formation of Cholesteatoma

• Prickle cell layer of pars flaccida invades sub-epithelial connective tissue and causes:

  • Basal lamina disruption
  • Formation of microcholesteatoma

• These microcholesteatomas:

  • Enlarge
  • Eventually perforate an intact tympanic membrane
  • Develop into full blown cholesteatoma

3️⃣ Habermann’s Theory (Epithelial Migration / Invasion Theory)

• Pre-existing tympanic membrane perforation

• Usually a marginal perforation

  • Annulus tympanicus destroyed

🔹 Mechanism

• Keratinizing squamous epithelium from:

  • Outer layer of tympanic membrane or
  • External auditory canal

• Migrates inward through perforation

• Damaged inner mucosal layer allows Squamous epithelium to invade middle ear

🔹 Clinical Correlation

• Commonly seen in:

  • Cholesteatoma following temporal bone fractures

• Explains secondary acquired cholesteatoma

4️⃣ Sade’s Theory (Squamous Metaplasia Theory)

🔹 Pathogenesis

• Repeated infections cause metaplastic changes

• Middle ear respiratory epithelium:

  • Transforms into keratinizing squamous epithelium

• This squamous epithelium:

  • Produces keratin
  • Leads to cholesteatoma formation

🧠 Easy Mnemonic to Remember All Theories

🚩 MNEMONIC - Real Big Ears Make Echoes”

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