New review proposes staging framework for aural cholesteatoma

A new review in Veterinary Dermatology is putting a sharper clinical framework around aural cholesteatoma, also called tympanokeratoma, a destructive epidermoid cyst of the temporal bone that remains uncommon but appears to be reported more often in veterinary medicine. The February 17, 2026 paper from University of Florida authors Ashton C. Berger, Judith Bertran, Rachel W. Williams, and Ian Hawkins synthesizes published evidence on epidemiology, etiology, diagnosis, and treatment across species, and proposes a staging scheme plus treatment principles for companion animals. The authors note growing interest in minimally invasive management alongside more established surgical approaches. (pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov)

Why it matters: For veterinarians, the review offers a more practical roadmap for a condition that can be easy to miss early and difficult to manage once advanced. Cholesteatomas in dogs can be locally destructive, are often associated with chronic otitis media or externa, and may cause pain, exudate, facial nerve dysfunction, and bulla remodeling or expansion. Diagnosis typically relies on advanced imaging such as CT or MRI, plus sampling for cytology or histopathology, while recurrence remains a concern after treatment, particularly in chronic disease. (merckvetmanual.com)

What to watch: Whether the proposed staging approach is adopted in referral practice, and whether earlier diagnosis plus minimally invasive techniques can lower recurrence and morbidity in dogs and other companion animals. (pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov)