EAONO/JOS, STAMCO, ChOLE & Potsic Staging of 271 Pediatric Cholesteatoma: Evidence-Based Mod-Pot Staging System

Objective

The objective was to assess Potsic, EAONO/JOS, STAMCO, and ChOLE cholesteatoma staging systems in a large homogenous pediatric cohort with long-term follow-up and propose an evidence-based improved version.

Study design

Cohort study.

Setting

Retrospective study in a tertiary referral center.

Methods

Children with congenital or acquired cholesteatoma who underwent surgery between 2008 and 2015 and had a minimum of five years follow-up were included. ROC areas under curve (AUCs) were performed for the residual disease proportion, total number of surgeries, hearing, and C-index for recurrence proportion at the last follow-up.

Results

Data from 271 ears with cholesteatoma were collected. Mean age at diagnosis was 7.9 years and 77 (28%) were congenital. Almost all patients (99%) had a canal wall up approach. The mean follow-up was 97.8 months. The Potsic classification, initially designed for congenital cholesteatoma, had the highest AUCs for residual disease rate and for number of surgeries outcomes (respectively 0.73 [0.67–0.78] and 0.71 [0.66–0.77]). For recurrence rate, all the classifications' C-index were low (<0.7). For postoperative hearing, STAMCO ossicular subscore had the highest AUC (0.73 [0.67–0.79]). The Mod-Pot staging system (modified Potsic), including stapes superstructure status and anterior epitympanum or supratubal involvement, improved the Potsic performance especially for postoperative hearing with AUC 0.73 [0.67–0.80], p < 0.001.

Conclusion

The Potsic, ChOLE, EAONO/JOS, and STAMCO cholesteatoma classifications may be used in children, but in this specific population, their contribution remains limited to predict outcome. The Mod-Pot classification improved the performance of pediatric cholesteatoma classification while remaining simple and intuitive.

Level of Evidence

3 Laryngoscope, 135:908–919, 2025