Autoatticotomy

Autoatticotomy denotes extensive pathological (cf. surgical atticotomy) destruction of the attic (epitympanum), most commonly due to cholesteatoma. It is an early stage prior to a more extensive process of destruction known as automastoidectomy.

Alternatively, the term refers to spontaneous drainage of an acquired cholesteatoma into the external auditory canal, leaving a cavity in the epitympanum (attic) in the shape of the original cholesteatoma but filled with air . The appearance resembles the sequelae of surgical drainage of cholesteatoma.