Endoscopic approach to tensor fold in patients with attic cholesteatoma

In 18/21 patients, the endoscope permitted the discovery of different anatomical morphologies of the tensor fold. Sixteen patients presented a complete tensor fold (one with an anomalous transversal orientation), one patient presented an incomplete tensor fold and one patient presented a bony ridge in the cochleariform region. In all 16 cases of complete tensor tympani fold, the fold was removed and anterior epitympanic ventilation was restored. The ridge bone over the cochleariform process was also removed with a microdrill.