Cholesteatoma Information Guide | What is Cholesteatoma?

A form of skin growth which generally occurs in the middle ear behind the eardrum is known as cholesteatoma. Cholesteatoma is also the cause of conductive hearing loss.

Generally cholesteatoma is occurring after the result of frequent ear infections. The frequent ear infections are the responsible for in-growth of the skin over the eardrum. Normally these skin growths humiliate in the shape of cysts or pouches that shed layers of skin and build up inside the ear. The cholesteatoma can grow larger eventually. A cholesteatoma can ultimately devastate the surrounding fragile bones of your middle ear. The sustained growth of a cholesteatoma along with hearing loss causes dizziness and facial muscle paralysis.

There are many symptoms of a cholesteatoma such as ear drain with a foul odor, pressure in the ear, an ache behind or in the ear, dizziness and muscle weakness on one side of the face. Sometimes ear cholesteatomas are very hazardous and they should never be unnoticed. Sometimes bone attrition causes the infection which is spread into the surrounding areas such as the inner ear and brain. If cholesteatoma is not treated or ignored by individual then that individual can face problems such as deafness, brain abscess, meningitis and on rare occasion death is also possible.

If you feel that you have any symptoms of a cholesteatoma then you must contact to your doctor immediately because cholesteatoma will need to be treated. Cleaning of the ear, antibiotics and ear drops are the initial treatment of cholesteatoma. Normally surgery is required to treat convoluted and larger cholesteatomas. Surgery will eliminate the skin growth and expectantly renovate your hearing. Always remember that you should visit to your doctor after surgery because sometimes cholesteatoma can reappear.