Cholesteatoma of the middle ear can be divided into congenital cholesteatoma of the middle ear and acquired cholesteatoma of the middle ear, and congenital cholesteatoma of the middle ear is uncommon in the overall incidence of cholesteatoma of the middle ear.
Congenital middle ear cholesteatoma is due to abnormal embryonic development and is present at birth. It usually has no history of otitis media and may have no abnormal symptoms in its early stages.