To describe an individual with cholesteatoma whose sole presenting symptom was dysgeusia.Case report.A retrospective review of an individual presenting with dysgeusia without any hearing loss, otorrhea, or imbalance who was found to have chronic otitis media with cholesteatoma.Surgical exploration confirmed the presence of cholesteatoma and identified an intact but attenuated chorda tympani nerve. The dysgeusia persisted after surgery.The anatomical course of the chorda tympani and the usual routes of expansion of cholesteatoma sacs indicates a higher incidence of dysgeusia with cholesteatoma. Further elucidation is necessary to determine the true incidence of this complaint with cholesteatoma.