Cholesteatoma

What is Cholesteatoma?

Cholesteatoma is a type of noncancerous but potentially serious growth that develops in the middle ear, typically as a result of repeated ear infections or improper healing of a perforated eardrum. This abnormal skin growth can expand and erode nearby bones, leading to complications if left untreated.

Side effects of Cholesteatoma:

Cholesteatoma can cause various symptoms, including:

•  Hearing loss: As the cholesteatoma enlarges and damages the middle ear structures, it can impair hearing.
  
• Ear pain or discomfort: Patients may experience persistent earaches or a feeling of pressure within the ear.
• Ear drainage: Discharge from the affected ear, often foul-smelling, may occur due to infection or fluid buildup.
• Dizziness or vertigo: In some cases, cholesteatoma can affect the balance organs within the inner ear, leading to sensations of dizziness or spinning.
• Facial muscle weakness: Rarely, cholesteatoma can extend into the nearby facial nerve, causing weakness or paralysis of facial muscles.

How is Cholesteatoma diagnosed?

Diagnosing Cholesteatoma typically involves a combination of medical history review, physical examination, and specialized tests, such as:

1. Otoscopic examination: A healthcare provider will use an otoscope to inspect the ear canal and eardrum for signs of cholesteatoma.

2. Imaging studies: CT (computed tomography) scans or MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) may be ordered to visualize the extent of the cholesteatoma and its effects on surrounding structures.

3. Hearing tests: Audiometric evaluations may be conducted to assess hearing loss associated with Cholesteatoma.

Potential treatments of Cholesteatoma:

Treatment for cholesteatoma typically involves surgery to remove the abnormal growth and prevent complications. Common surgical approaches include:

1. Tympanoplasty: This procedure repairs a perforated eardrum and removes the cholesteatoma while preserving hearing whenever possible.

2. Mastoidectomy: In cases where cholesteatoma has spread into the mastoid bone behind the ear, a mastoidectomy may be necessary to remove affected tissue and prevent recurrence.

3. Ossiculoplasty: If cholesteatoma has damaged the small bones of the middle ear (ossicles), reconstructive surgery may be performed to restore hearing.

4. Canal wall-up or canal wall-down procedures: These surgical techniques involve either preserving or removing part of the ear canal wall, depending on the extent of cholesteatoma and the desired outcome.

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