Understanding Cholesteatoma
Cholesteatoma is a benign growth behind the eardrum caused by trapped skin cells and keratin. Normally shed during ear cleaning, if this skin penetrates the eardrum, it can build up and form a cholesteatoma. Untreated, it may erode the ossicles, causing hearing loss, and can spread to the mastoid or inner ear, leading to permanent hearing damage. Serious complications, such as facial paralysis, hydrocephalus, meningitis, or a brain abscess, may arise and often require surgical removal.
Cholesteatoma Surgery and Treatment
The main aim of treatment for cholesteatoma is to control infection and prevent bone damage, with hearing restoration being secondary. For small cholesteatomas with manageable hearing loss, microscopic cleaning during an office visit may suffice. However, advanced cases typically require surgery, such as mastoidectomy, to remove the cholesteatoma and infections from the mastoid bone.
Additional procedures might include tympanoplasty to reconstruct the eardrum and ossicular reconstruction to replace eroded middle ear bones with prosthetics. Since cholesteatomas can recur, diligent post-surgical follow-up is crucial, and further surgery may be necessary to ensure complete removal.
