Learn About Cholesteatoma

What is the definition of Cholesteatoma?

Cholesteatoma is a type of skin cyst that is located in the middle ear and mastoid bone in the skull.

What are the alternative names for Cholesteatoma?

Chronic ear infection - cholesteatoma; Chronic otitis media - cholesteatoma

What are the causes of Cholesteatoma?

Cholesteatoma can be a birth defect (congenital). It more commonly occurs as a result of chronic ear infection.

The eustachian tube helps equalize pressure in the middle ear. When it is not working well, negative pressure can build up and pull part of the eardrum (tympanic membrane) inward. This creates a pocket or cyst that fills with old skin cells and other waste material.

The cyst may become infected or get bigger. This can cause the breakdown of some of the middle ear bones or other structures of the ear. This can affect hearing, balance, and possibly the function of the facial muscles.

What are the symptoms of Cholesteatoma?

Symptoms include:

  • Dizziness
  • Drainage from the ear, which can be chronic
  • Hearing loss in one ear
  • Sensation of ear fullness or pressure
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What are the current treatments for Cholesteatoma?

Cholesteatomas very often continue to grow if they are not removed. Surgery is most often successful. However, you may need the ear cleaned by a health care provider from time to time. Another surgery may be needed if the cholesteatoma comes back.

Who are the top Cholesteatoma Local Doctors?

Southcoast Physicians Group Inc

299 Faunce Corner Rd, 
North Dartmouth, MA 
 18.6 mi

Jonathon Sillman is an Otolaryngologist in North Dartmouth, Massachusetts. Dr. Sillman and is rated as a Distinguished provider by MediFind in the treatment of Cholesteatoma. His top areas of expertise are Infant Hearing Loss, DFNB1, Jones Syndrome, Acoustic Neuroma, and Myringotomy.

Otolaryngology | Allergy and Immunology
Otolaryngology | Allergy and Immunology

Bernard J Durante MD PC

1 County Rd, 
Bourne, MA 
 6.8 mi
Accepting New Patients
Offers Telehealth

Anit Patel is an Otolaryngologist and an Allergy and Immunologist in Bourne, Massachusetts. Dr. Patel has been practicing medicine for over 26 years and is rated as an Experienced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Cholesteatoma. His top areas of expertise are Empyema, Sinusitis, Chronic Rhinosinusitis with Nasal Polyps (CRSwNP), Thyroid Nodule, and Myringotomy. Dr. Patel is currently accepting new patients.

 
 
 
 
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Otolaryngology
Otolaryngology

Southcoast Physicians Group Inc

299 Faunce Corner Rd, 
North Dartmouth, MA 
 18.6 mi
Offers Telehealth

Kathryn Noonan is an Otolaryngologist in North Dartmouth, Massachusetts. Dr. Noonan and is rated as an Advanced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Cholesteatoma. Her top areas of expertise are Infant Hearing Loss, DFNB1, Cholesteatoma, Myringotomy, and Mastoidectomy.

What are the possible complications of Cholesteatoma?

Complications may include:

  • Brain abscess (rare)
  • Erosion into the facial nerve (causing facial paralysis)
  • Meningitis
  • Spread of the cyst into the brain
  • Hearing loss
When should I contact a medical professional for Cholesteatoma?

Contact your provider if ear pain, drainage from the ear, or other symptoms occur or worsen, or if hearing loss occurs.

How do I prevent Cholesteatoma?

Prompt and thorough treatment of chronic ear infection may help prevent cholesteatoma.

What are the latest Cholesteatoma Clinical Trials?
Short- and Medium-term Evaluation of Mastoid Filling Using Bioactive Glass

Summary: Adult patients referred to the ENT surgery department of the Hospices Civils de Lyon with cholesteatoma that had never been operated on. All patients will benefit from surgical management for cholesteatoma initially in the operating room under general anesthesia. The surgical technique (closed technique) is the reference technique for the management of cholesteatoma in adults. It involves a cartil...

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The Impact of Mastoid Condition and Ossicular Reconstruction on the Outcome of the Transcanal Endoscopic Management of Localized Atticoantral Cholesteatoma Patients

Summary: The goal of this interventional study is to learn about the effect of mastoid process status and the method of ossicular reconstruction on the results of the procedure transcanal endoscopic management of patients with localized atticoantral cholesteatoma

Who are the sources who wrote this article ?

Published Date: May 02, 2024
Published By: Josef Shargorodsky, MD, MPH, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.

What are the references for this article ?

Player B. Otitis media. In: Kliegman RM, St. Geme JW, Blum NJ, et al, eds. Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics. 22nd ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2025:chap 680.

Thompson LDR. Tumors of the ear. In: Fletcher CDM, ed. Diagnostic Histopathology of Tumors. 5th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2021:chap 30.