This article will review cholesteatomas' causes, symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment.
It will also explore how this condition can be prevented and its generalprognosis(outcome).
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What Is the Middle Ear?
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What Causes a Cholesteatoma?
The precise cause of a cholesteatoma is not fully known.
Experts suspect thatacquired cholesteatomasmost commonly occur as a result of a blockedeustachian tube.
Eustachian tubes link the middle ear to the sinuses.
They help drain fluid from the middle ear and balance the pressure on either side of the eardrum.
Inflammation behind the eardrum can then trigger skin cells to grow rapidly.
In such cases, rapidly growing cells may travel through the eardrum, embedding themselves within the middle ear.
What Are the Symptoms of a Cholesteatoma?
What Are the Potential Complications?
The mastoid bone is honeycombed-shaped and behind the ear.
It is part of thetemporal bone, located at the sides/base of the skull.
Potentially life-threatening, although rare, infections can then travel into the brain via the temporal bone.
These infections include:
Other severe complications of a cholesteatoma include:
How Is a Cholesteatoma Diagnosed?
An ENT can confirm the presence of a cholesteatoma.
How Is a Cholesteatoma Treated?
The treatment of a cholesteatoma is surgical removal undergeneral anesthesia.
However, cholesteatomas can grow back (recur).
Another surgery may or may not be needed, depending on the size and other factors.
Due to the risk of recurrence, people must follow closely with their ENT after surgery.
Lastly, while surgical removal of a cholesteatoma is necessary, it does not always improve hearing.
Sometimes, a second surgery is needed to help restore hearing loss.
Although rare, it can be present at birth.
Symptoms of a cholesteatoma include hearing loss and persistent or recurrent ear drainage.
An otolaryngologist (ENT specialist) diagnoses cholesteatomas using an otoscope.
Imaging tests are performed to evaluate the extent of the skin growth and for complications.
Treatment involves surgical removal.
Sometimes, a second surgery is needed if the cholesteatoma recurs or to help restore hearing loss.
If you have a cholesteatoma or have had one removed, speak with an ENT specialist.
Early treatment and close follow-up are key to managing this serious ear condition.
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