Cholesteatoma is an abnormal skin growth in the middle ear that can destroy the bones of the middle ear and cause hearing loss. It is caused by a negative pressure in the ear that stretches the eardrum and creates a pocket or cyst that fills with old skin cells and waste material.
Symptoms of cholesteatoma include drainage from the ear, a feeling of fullness, hearing loss, earache, and dizziness.
Treatment for cholesteatoma typically involves controlling the infection with antibiotics or eardrops. If the cholesteatoma is large, surgery may be necessary to remove it.
Additional information:
- Cholesteatoma can be congenital (present at birth) or acquired. Congenital cholesteatoma is rare and is caused by a defect in the ear canal. Acquired cholesteatoma is more common and is caused by factors such as ear infections, allergies, and viruses.
- Cholesteatoma can lead to serious complications if left untreated, such as deafness, facial paralysis, brain abscess, and meningitis.
- Surgery to remove a cholesteatoma is typically performed under general anesthesia and is an outpatient procedure. The goal of surgery is to remove the cholesteatoma and to reconstruct the damaged middle ear bones.
- Follow-up surgery may be necessary to ensure that the cholesteatoma is gone and to monitor the patient’s hearing.
If you have any concerns about cholesteatoma, please talk to your doctor.