[On the problem of the congenital (?) cholesteatoma of the petrous bone (author's transl)].

The congenital cholesteatoma of the petrous bone is a rarity. The topographic situation corresponds to a congenital dermoid. The evolution is typic. On the beginning the ear drum is intact, very early one will find a loss of the labyrinth function, often accompanied by a facial paresis. The suppuration of the middle ear comes in a later state. The drainage operation is insufficient. The subtotal petrosectomy with permanent anterior dislocation of the facial nerve gives the chance for a definitive healing.