Giant cholesterol granuloma producing brainstem compression.

Cholesterol granuloma of the petrous apex is an unusual clinical entity that has received much attention in the recent literature. Not considered to be a life-threatening lesion, cholesterol granuloma usually presents with a variety of cranial nerve findings. A case of brainstem compression caused by a giant cholesterol granuloma is presented. This lesion prompted emergency surgical intervention with dramatic relief of neurologic symptoms. The unusual nature of this case is compared with the more common presentation of cholesterol granuloma.