An Overview to Cytokeratin Pattern of Cholesteatoma

Abstract

ABSTRACT Cholesteatoma is a destructive pathology characterized with progressive and chronic infiltration of keratinized squamous epithelium that can be seen the middle ear and mastoid regions of temporal bone. It has serious intra and extracranial complications which can be difficult to manage. Embryologic remnants of squamous epithelium, squamous metaplasia of middle ear epithelium, migration of epidermal cells from external ear canal and tympanic membrane and cell seeding because of middle ear surgery or trauma were all stated as causes of cholesteatoma. Cytokeratins are important markers of cell differentiation. The patterns of cytokeratin expression correlate well with the state of keratinocyte proliferation, migration and differentiation. These patterns are known to be affected during the formation of cholesteatoma. Increasing our knowledge about cytokeratin patterns may help us understand the unknown formation of cholesteatoma. In this review article, a literature survey was done about cytokeratin patterns of cholesteatoma.