What is Cholesteatoma?
Cholesteatoma is a benign but potentially serious growth caused by the buildup of skin cells and protein behind the eardrum. This occurs when keratin-producing skin from the ear canal becomes trapped in the middle ear, often after an ear injury or repeated infections. If left untreated, the growth can erode hearing bones, damage the inner ear, and lead to permanent hearing loss or serious complications like facial paralysis or brain infections.
Diagnosis and Treatment
Diagnosis is typically made with microscopic examination of the ear. An audiogram helps assess hearing loss, while a CT scan may be used to determine how far the cholesteatoma has spread.
Treatment focuses first on controlling infection and preventing further bone damage. For small cholesteatomas with mild symptoms, in-office microscopic cleaning may be enough. In more advanced cases, surgery is required to remove the growth and repair damaged structures.
Common Symptoms
Frequent Ear Infections
Foul-Smelling Ear Discharge
Hearing Loss In The Affected Ear
Pressure Or Fullness In The Ear
Cholesteatoma Surgery
Surgical treatment may include:
Mastoidectomy – removes infection from the mastoid bone
Tympanoplasty – reconstructs the eardrum and hearing mechanisms
Ossicular reconstruction – replaces damaged hearing bones with a prosthesis
Because cholesteatomas can return, close post-op monitoring is essential. Additional surgery may be needed in some cases to ensure complete removal.
Frequently Asked Questions
Cholesteatoma is a benign growth caused by the accumulation of skin cells and protein behind the eardrum. It develops when keratin-producing skin from the ear canal becomes trapped in the middle ear, often due to ear injury or repeated infections, leading to potential damage if untreated.
Common symptoms of cholesteatoma include frequent ear infections, foul-smelling ear discharge, hearing loss in the affected ear, and a feeling of pressure or fullness in the ear. Recognizing these symptoms early is important to prevent complications.
Diagnosis of cholesteatoma involves a microscopic examination of the ear to visualize the growth. An audiogram evaluates hearing loss, and a CT scan may be used to assess the extent of the cholesteatoma's spread and any bone involvement.
Treatment starts with controlling infection and preventing bone damage. Small cholesteatomas may be managed with in-office microscopic cleaning, while more advanced cases typically require surgery to remove the growth and repair damage to the ear structures.
Surgical treatments for cholesteatoma include mastoidectomy to remove infection from the mastoid bone, tympanoplasty to reconstruct the eardrum and hearing mechanisms, and ossicular reconstruction to replace damaged hearing bones with prostheses. Surgery aims to fully remove the growth and restore hearing function.
Yes, cholesteatomas can return after surgery, so close post-operative monitoring is essential to detect any recurrence early. In some cases, additional surgeries may be necessary to ensure complete removal of the growth and prevent further complications.
If untreated, cholesteatoma can erode the small bones of hearing, damage the inner ear, and cause permanent hearing loss. Serious complications may include facial paralysis and brain infections due to the spread of the growth and infection.