Cholesteatoma
What causes cholesteatomas?
Acholesteatoma can develop if part of the eardrum collapses because of problems equalising the pressure across it.
This occurs when the Eustachian tube is not working properly.This is a thin tube that runs from the middle ear to the back of the nose. One of its main functionsis to help maintain normal air pressure within the ear.
Dead skin cells arenormally passed out of the ear, butif the eardrum collapses, itmay create a pocket wherethe dead skin cells can collect.
Acholesteatoma can also occur after the eardrum has been damaged through an injury orinfection, or after any kind of ear surgery.
It is possible to be born with a cholesteatoma as a result ofthe structures within the ear developing abnormally,but this is rare.
Medically Reviewed by a doctor on 21 Dez 2018
Introduction
A cholesteatoma is an uncommon abnormal collection of skin cells inside your ear.
What are the warning signs?
Usually only one ear is affected by a cholesteatoma. The two most common symptoms are: persistent, often smelly, discharge from the affected ear gradual loss ofhearingin the affected ear Some peo
What causes cholesteatomas?
Acholesteatoma can develop if part of the eardrum collapses because of problems equalising the pressure across it. This occurs when the Eustachian tube is not working properly.This is a thin tube tha
Seeingyour GP
You should see your GP if you have problems with your hearing or persistent discharge from your ear. Your GP may diagnose or suspect a cholesteatomaafter examining your ear with an otoscope,an instru
Treating a cholesteatoma
To confirmthat you have acholesteatoma, an ENT surgeon will re-examine your ear and may carry out some hearing tests.You may also have a computerised tomography (CT) scan to see which parts of your ea
After surgery
Youwill oftenneed to stay in hospitalat least overnight after the operation, and you should plan to take a week or two off work. Your surgeon can adviseyou aboutthis. Self care advice When you get h
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