How serious is cholesteatoma?

Cholesteatoma can erode bone, including the three bones of hearing, which may cause infection to spread to the inner ear or brain. These infections can lead to meningitis, brain abscess, facial paralysis, dizziness (vertigo), and even death.

What are the symptoms of a cholesteatoma?

What are the signs and symptoms of cholesteatoma?

• A full feeling or pressure in the ear.
• Hearing loss.
• Dizziness.
• Pain.
• Numbness or muscle weakness on one side of the face.

What happens if cholesteatoma is not treated?

A cholesteatoma is an abnormal collection of skin cells deep inside your ear. They’re rare but, if left untreated, they can damage the delicate structures inside your ear that are essential for hearing and balance. A cholesteatoma can also lead to: an ear infection – causing discharge from the ear.

How long does it take to heal from cholesteatoma?

Healing is usually complete in 6 weeks, and the hearing may continue to improve for 2-3 months.

How do they remove a cholesteatoma?

Although surgery is rarely urgent, once a cholesteatoma is found, surgical treatment is the only choice. Surgery usually involves a mastoidectomy to remove the disease from the bone, and tympanoplasty to repair the eardrum. The exact type of operation is determined by the stage of the disease at the time of surgery.

Can cholesteatoma spread to the brain?

Over time, the cholesteatoma can get bigger and destroy the delicate bones inside and around the middle ear. In extreme cases a cholesteatoma can start to affect the brain. It can cause pus to pool in the brain (called an abscess) or an infection of the membranes covering the brain and spinal cord (called meningitis).

Can a doctor see a cholesteatoma?

A cholesteatoma is detected only by examining the ear and finding the disease. However, the physician may suspect the disease when some or all of the following are present: Gradual loss of hearing.

Can cholesteatoma affect brain?

Is a cholesteatoma painful?

Cholesteatoma is not often painful. However, infection may occasionally occur, causing pain and swelling behind the ear. A cholesteatoma is detected only by examining the ear and finding the disease.

Is a cholesteatoma a brain tumor?

Cholesteatoma is a benign growth that consists of a buildup of squamous epithelial skin cells that grow into the middle ear and mastoid bone. These are benign conditions and are not tumors but can grow with time causing problems because of erosion of the bones inside and surrounding the ear and the base of the skull.

What do you need to know about cholesteatoma?

Hearing loss

How to treat an ear cyst?

Apply a heating pad directly over the cyst. Another alternative is melt wax and drop a little bit on the cyst.

What is the prevalence of cholesteatoma?

The true worldwide incidence of middle ear cholesteatoma is not known. Many retrospective studies that provide helpful demographical statistics have been done. In the United States, one study reported six cholesteatomas per 100,000 people. The average age for children to be diagnosed with acquired cholesteatoma was 9.7 years.