Table 1 Differential diagnosis according to the lesion site.
From: Cholesterol granuloma presenting as a mass obstructing the external ear canal
| PETROUS APEX | MIDDLE EAR CAVITY | EXTERNAL MEATUS |
|---|---|---|
| Glomus tumor | Cholesteatoma | Osteoma |
| Meningioma | High jugular bulb | Bony stenosis |
| Schwannoma | Carotid artery aberrance | Cholesteatoma |
| Arachnoid cyst | Glomus tumor | Brain hernia |
| Plasmocytoma | Hemotympanum | |
| Lymphoma | Brain hernia | |
| Histiocytosis X | ||
| Epidermoid cysts | ||
| Mucocele | ||
| Carotid aneurism | ||
| Bone and cartilaginous tumors |
