Cholesteatoma

A cholesteatoma is a form of skin growth that occurs in the middle ear behind the eardrum. Cholesteatoma can lead to conductive hearing loss.

A cholesteatoma is usually the result of repeated ear infections that cause an in-growth of the skin over the eardrum. These skin growths often show up in the form of cysts or pouches that shed layers of skin and build up inside the ear. A cholesteatoma can grow bigger over time and it can eventually destroy the surrounding delicate bones of your middle ear. Along with hearing loss, a continued growth of a cholesteatoma can cause dizziness, and facial muscle paralysis, though this is usually rare.

Symptoms of a cholesteatoma may include ear drain with a foul odor, pressure in the ear, along with hearing loss, an ache behind or in the ear, dizziness, and muscle weakness on one side of the face.

Ear cholesteatomas can sometimes be dangerous and they should never be ignored. Bone erosion can sometimes cause the infection to spread into surrounding areas such as the inner ear and brain. If a cholesteatoma is left untreated it could possibly result in deafness, brain abscess, meningitis, and on rare occasion, even death. If you have any symptoms of a cholesteatoma you should contact your doctor as it will need to be treated immediately. Initial treatment might include cleaning of the ear, antibiotics, and ear drops. Typically surgery is required to treat complicated and larger cholesteatomas. Surgery will remove the skin growth and hopefully restore your hearing. A cholesteatoma can sometimes recur, so be sure to visit your doctor after surgery.