[Cholesterol granuloma of the middle ear: cause of idiopathic hemotympanum].

We report a case of a 49-year-old man with a cholesterol granuloma of the middle ear in an only hearing ear. As it mimicked a vascular middle ear tumor, a contrast cranial computed tomography and a gadolinium-enhanced-magnetic resonance imaging with vascular reconstructions were performed, confirming that both carotid artery and jugular vein were near the lesion but not involved. This patient could be managed with a conservative hearing preserving approach. Differential diagnosis of vascular middle ear anomalies is reviewed, specially in relation to cholesterol granulomas as a cause of idiopathic hemotympanum.