A cholesteatoma is an abnormal mass of skin cells that forms in the middle ear, behind the eardrum. Left untreated, the mass can grow in size and lead to complications such as infection, balance issues, hearing loss and facial paralysis, among others.
 Cholesteatoma Causes
Cholesteatomas occur when the Eustachian tubes don’t function properly. When working correctly, these tubes allow air to flow from the back of the throat to the middle ear to equalize air pressure. If this process is impaired, it can create a partial vacuum in the ear, creating a cyst which then turns into a cholesteatoma.
Several factors may cause problems with your Eustachian tube, including:
- Frequent and/or chronic ear infections
- Colds
- Sinus infections
- Allergies
- Rarely a cholesteatoma is congenital, meaning it’s present at birth.
Left untreated, the mass will continue to fill with dead skin cells, fluids and other waste materials.
What Are the Symptoms of a Cholesteatoma?
Initially, you may not notice any symptoms from a cholesteatoma, or they are mild. Early symptoms can include fluid drainage from the ear, as well as pressure or pain in or behind your ear.
As it grows, you may experience more severe complications, including:
- Chronic ear infections
- Swelling of the inner ear
- Permanent hearing loss due to broken bones in the ear
- Damage to the eardrum, bones inside the ear, bones near the brain, and facial nerves
- Chronic ear infections or swelling in the ear
- Facial paralysis
- Brain abscesses
- Meningitis
Like any condition, the earlier you catch a cholesteatoma, the better your health outcome will be. If you have ear pain or fluid drainage or notice yourself struggling to hear or feeling unbalanced when out running errands at Greer Plaza, call your medical provider.
Diagnosing and Treating Cholesteatomas
To diagnose a cholesteatoma, your doctor will examine your ear for signs of a cyst. They may also order a CT scan to confirm the diagnosis or to see if something else is causing your symptoms.
Since many of these growths become infected, the first step in treatment will likely be antibiotics. However, they can only help to clear the superficial infection and can’t act as a cure since cholesteatomas have no blood supply for oral medications to have an effect,
Surgically removing the growth is usually a required treatment option. The procedure is performed on an outpatient basis and done under general anesthesia. Additional surgeries may be required to reconstruct damage in the inner ear or to ensure the cyst has been completely removed.
For additional information or to schedule an appointment, call Spartanburg | Greer ENT & Allergy today.
