ABOUT THE DISEASE
Cholesteatoma is a disease where a cyst-like growth develops between the middle ear and skull bone (mastoid). It can be a congenital problem (birth defect) but usually occurs as a complication of chronic (longstanding) ear infection.
CAUSES
It is caused when the skin cells from the lining of the ear canal get trapped in the middle ear (which does not normally contain skin cells). Skin cells, including those that line the ear canal, normally multiply regularly to replace those that have died. Usually these skin cells flake off. The dead cells are trapped too and build up. This build-up of dead skin cells over time is what forms the cholesteatoma.
In the case of congenital cholesteatoma some skin cells develop in the wrong part of the ear and cause this problem whereas in other cases i.e Acquired cholesteatoma, it is caused due to frequent ear infections.
SYMPTOMS
It mostly affects just one ear, the most common symptoms are -
- • Loss of hearing.
- • Foul-smelling discharge from the ear.
- • Tinnitus (ringing sound in the ear).
- • Headache.
DIAGNOSIS
- Ear examination with an Otoscope, may show a pocket or perforation in the eardrum, often with drainage. The deposit of old skin cells may be visible.
- CT Scan to rule out other reasons of dizziness.
TREATMENT METHODS
Surgery is required to remove the cyst. This may be followed with a course of antibiotics to rule out any further infections and make the ear dry up.
Untreated, a cholesteatoma will slowly grow and expand. As it grows, it can erode (eat into) and destroy anything in its path and can lead to deafness or meningitis.
You may also like to learn about:
Otitis media
Otosclerosis
Ear infections
Dizziness and vertigo
Meningitis
Hearing disorders and deafness