CHOLESTEATOMA
Cholesteatoma’s [ unsafe ear /unsafe csom ] definition is skin growth in the wrong place behind the ear drum. When this skin grows behind the ear drum or it grows into the bone behind the ear (mastoid bone), it is called a cholesteatoma. This skin grows at a much faster rate than regular skin and destroys the structures around it. The treatment of a cholesteatoma is its removal by surgery.
Cholesteatomas most commonly present with hearing loss and drainage / discharge that has bad smell from the ear. In advanced stages, facial paralysis, bleeding, or dizziness (vertigo) can be a presenting sign. Rarely, patients may present with meningitis or brain abscess from extension of the cholesteatoma into the area around the brain.
How is a Diagnosis of Cholesteatoma Made?
complete history and physical exam,
test of the hearing (audiogram and tympanogram)
CT scan x-ray of the temporal bone (ear bone)
Treatment
Initial treatment with antibiotic drops help in reducing the infection The only definitive treatment is surgery – ear exploration surgery complete removal of dead and diseased tissue restoring ventilation to mastoid sinus
Reconstruction of hearing pathway if possible