Two cases of a brain abscess secondary to middle ear cholesteatoma

We experienced 2 cases of a brain abscess secondary to middle ear cholesteatoma. Case 1 was a 73-year-old male. When visiting a local hospital for treatment of a common cold, he suddenly fell into convulsions and was hospitalized. CT and MRI revealed a right temporal lobe abscess and middle ear cholesteatoma. Case 2 was an 18-year-old male. He visited a local neurosurgeon for headache and low grade fever. CT and MRI revealed a left cerebellar abscess and middle ear cholesteatoma. In both cases, there were no aural symptoms such as otorrhea or otalgia before the brain abscess diagnosis. We want to stress that it is necessary to properly treat middle ear cholesteatoma because of the possible sudden occurrence of brain abscesses.