Cholesteatoma: Difference between revisions
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{{Infobox medical condition | |||
| name = Cholesteatoma | |||
| image = [[File:Cholesteatom_kuppelraum_1a.jpg|left|thumb|Cholesteatoma]] | |||
| caption = Cholesteatoma in the middle ear | |||
| field = [[Otorhinolaryngology]] | |||
| synonyms = | |||
| symptoms = [[Hearing loss]], [[ear discharge]], [[ear pain]] | |||
| complications = [[Hearing loss]], [[facial nerve paralysis]], [[meningitis]], [[brain abscess]] | |||
| onset = | |||
| duration = | |||
| causes = [[Eustachian tube dysfunction]], [[chronic ear infections]] | |||
| risks = | |||
| diagnosis = [[Otoscopy]], [[CT scan]], [[MRI]] | |||
| differential = [[Otitis media]], [[ear tumor]] | |||
| prevention = | |||
| treatment = [[Surgery]], [[antibiotics]] | |||
| medication = | |||
| prognosis = | |||
| frequency = | |||
}} | |||
{{Short description|A type of skin growth in the middle ear behind the eardrum}} | {{Short description|A type of skin growth in the middle ear behind the eardrum}} | ||
{{Infobox medical condition (new) | {{Infobox medical condition (new) | ||
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}} | }} | ||
A '''cholesteatoma''' is an abnormal, noncancerous skin growth that can develop in the middle section of the ear, behind the [[eardrum]]. It can be congenital (present at birth) or acquired, often as a result of repeated [[ear infections]]. | A '''cholesteatoma''' is an abnormal, noncancerous skin growth that can develop in the middle section of the ear, behind the [[eardrum]]. It can be congenital (present at birth) or acquired, often as a result of repeated [[ear infections]]. | ||
==Pathophysiology== | ==Pathophysiology== | ||
Cholesteatomas occur when skin cells accumulate in the middle ear. This can happen due to a [[perforated eardrum]] or a [[Eustachian tube dysfunction|dysfunction of the Eustachian tube]], which can lead to negative pressure in the middle ear. This negative pressure can cause a retraction pocket in the eardrum, where skin cells can collect and form a cholesteatoma. | Cholesteatomas occur when skin cells accumulate in the middle ear. This can happen due to a [[perforated eardrum]] or a [[Eustachian tube dysfunction|dysfunction of the Eustachian tube]], which can lead to negative pressure in the middle ear. This negative pressure can cause a retraction pocket in the eardrum, where skin cells can collect and form a cholesteatoma. | ||
==Symptoms== | ==Symptoms== | ||
The symptoms of a cholesteatoma can vary but often include: | The symptoms of a cholesteatoma can vary but often include: | ||
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* [[Dizziness]] or [[vertigo]] | * [[Dizziness]] or [[vertigo]] | ||
* [[Tinnitus]] (ringing in the ear) | * [[Tinnitus]] (ringing in the ear) | ||
If left untreated, a cholesteatoma can lead to more serious complications, such as: | If left untreated, a cholesteatoma can lead to more serious complications, such as: | ||
* [[Chronic ear infections]] | * [[Chronic ear infections]] | ||
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* [[Meningitis]] | * [[Meningitis]] | ||
* [[Brain abscess]] | * [[Brain abscess]] | ||
==Diagnosis== | ==Diagnosis== | ||
Diagnosis of a cholesteatoma typically involves a thorough examination by an [[otolaryngologist]] (ear, nose, and throat specialist). This may include: | Diagnosis of a cholesteatoma typically involves a thorough examination by an [[otolaryngologist]] (ear, nose, and throat specialist). This may include: | ||
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* [[Audiometry]] to assess hearing loss | * [[Audiometry]] to assess hearing loss | ||
* [[CT scan]] or [[MRI]] to evaluate the extent of the cholesteatoma and any potential damage to surrounding structures | * [[CT scan]] or [[MRI]] to evaluate the extent of the cholesteatoma and any potential damage to surrounding structures | ||
==Treatment== | ==Treatment== | ||
The primary treatment for a cholesteatoma is surgical removal. The goal of surgery is to remove the cholesteatoma and prevent complications. Surgery may involve: | The primary treatment for a cholesteatoma is surgical removal. The goal of surgery is to remove the cholesteatoma and prevent complications. Surgery may involve: | ||
* [[Mastoidectomy]] to remove the cholesteatoma and any infected tissue | * [[Mastoidectomy]] to remove the cholesteatoma and any infected tissue | ||
* [[Tympanoplasty]] to repair the eardrum and restore hearing | * [[Tympanoplasty]] to repair the eardrum and restore hearing | ||
Post-surgery, patients may require regular follow-up visits to monitor for recurrence, as cholesteatomas can recur even after successful removal. | Post-surgery, patients may require regular follow-up visits to monitor for recurrence, as cholesteatomas can recur even after successful removal. | ||
==Prevention== | ==Prevention== | ||
Preventing cholesteatomas involves managing risk factors such as chronic ear infections and Eustachian tube dysfunction. This may include: | Preventing cholesteatomas involves managing risk factors such as chronic ear infections and Eustachian tube dysfunction. This may include: | ||
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* Managing allergies or sinus infections | * Managing allergies or sinus infections | ||
* Avoiding smoking and exposure to secondhand smoke | * Avoiding smoking and exposure to secondhand smoke | ||
==See also== | |||
== | |||
* [[Otitis media]] | * [[Otitis media]] | ||
* [[Eustachian tube dysfunction]] | * [[Eustachian tube dysfunction]] | ||
Latest revision as of 02:01, 5 April 2025
Editor-In-Chief: Prab R Tumpati, MD
Obesity, Sleep & Internal medicine
Founder, WikiMD Wellnesspedia &
W8MD medical weight loss NYC and sleep center NYC
| Cholesteatoma | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Synonyms | |
| Pronounce | N/A |
| Specialty | N/A |
| Symptoms | Hearing loss, ear discharge, ear pain |
| Complications | Hearing loss, facial nerve paralysis, meningitis, brain abscess |
| Onset | |
| Duration | |
| Types | N/A |
| Causes | Eustachian tube dysfunction, chronic ear infections |
| Risks | |
| Diagnosis | Otoscopy, CT scan, MRI |
| Differential diagnosis | Otitis media, ear tumor |
| Prevention | |
| Treatment | Surgery, antibiotics |
| Medication | |
| Prognosis | |
| Frequency | |
| Deaths | N/A |
A type of skin growth in the middle ear behind the eardrum
| Cholesteatoma | |
|---|---|
|
| |
| Synonyms | Epidermoid cyst of the middle ear |
| Pronounce | N/A |
| Field | N/A |
| Symptoms | Hearing loss, ear discharge (otorrhea), ear fullness, vertigo, tinnitus, facial nerve palsy |
| Complications | Chronic ear infections, facial nerve damage, labyrinthitis, brain abscess, meningitis, mastoiditis |
| Onset | Usually gradual |
| Duration | Chronic if untreated |
| Types | Congenital, Acquired (primary or secondary) |
| Causes | Eustachian tube dysfunction, chronic otitis media, congenital epithelial inclusion |
| Risks | Chronic otitis media, recurrent ear infections, eustachian tube dysfunction, cleft palate |
| Diagnosis | Otoscopy, CT scan of temporal bone, audiometry, MRI |
| Differential diagnosis | Otitis media, aural polyp, glomus tumor, external auditory canal cholesteatoma |
| Prevention | Timely treatment of middle ear infections, proper ear hygiene, surgical repair of eardrum perforations |
| Treatment | Surgical removal (e.g., mastoidectomy, tympanoplasty) |
| Medication | Antibiotic ear drops for secondary infection; pain management |
| Prognosis | Good with complete surgical excision; risk of recurrence if incomplete removal |
| Frequency | ~9 per 100,000 adults; ~3 per 100,000 children annually |
| Deaths | Rare with timely treatment; severe cases may result in fatal intracranial complications |
A cholesteatoma is an abnormal, noncancerous skin growth that can develop in the middle section of the ear, behind the eardrum. It can be congenital (present at birth) or acquired, often as a result of repeated ear infections.
Pathophysiology[edit]
Cholesteatomas occur when skin cells accumulate in the middle ear. This can happen due to a perforated eardrum or a dysfunction of the Eustachian tube, which can lead to negative pressure in the middle ear. This negative pressure can cause a retraction pocket in the eardrum, where skin cells can collect and form a cholesteatoma.
Symptoms[edit]
The symptoms of a cholesteatoma can vary but often include:
- Hearing loss
- Ear drainage
- Ear pain
- A feeling of fullness in the ear
- Dizziness or vertigo
- Tinnitus (ringing in the ear)
If left untreated, a cholesteatoma can lead to more serious complications, such as:
Diagnosis[edit]
Diagnosis of a cholesteatoma typically involves a thorough examination by an otolaryngologist (ear, nose, and throat specialist). This may include:
- Otoscopy to examine the ear canal and eardrum
- Audiometry to assess hearing loss
- CT scan or MRI to evaluate the extent of the cholesteatoma and any potential damage to surrounding structures
Treatment[edit]
The primary treatment for a cholesteatoma is surgical removal. The goal of surgery is to remove the cholesteatoma and prevent complications. Surgery may involve:
- Mastoidectomy to remove the cholesteatoma and any infected tissue
- Tympanoplasty to repair the eardrum and restore hearing
Post-surgery, patients may require regular follow-up visits to monitor for recurrence, as cholesteatomas can recur even after successful removal.
Prevention[edit]
Preventing cholesteatomas involves managing risk factors such as chronic ear infections and Eustachian tube dysfunction. This may include:
- Treating ear infections promptly
- Managing allergies or sinus infections
- Avoiding smoking and exposure to secondhand smoke
See also[edit]
| Diseases of the ear and mastoid process (H60–H99, 380–389) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
