Cholesteatoma
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 ear are affected.
Surgery
In most cases, a cholesteatomawill be removed during an operation performed under general anaesthetic .
The surgeongenerally makes a cut either behind or just in front and above your ear. As well as removing the dead skin cells, they may also need to remove some of the sponge-like mastoid bone (part of the skull behind your ear) and repair any holein your eardrum.
When the operation is complete, you ear may be packed with a dressing that will need to be removed a few weeks later. You will be advised about how to look after it in the meantime.
The risks of surgery are similar to those of leaving the cholesteatoma untreated, such ashearing loss, tinnitus and vertigo,but generally thebenefits of removing the cholesteatoma far outweigh the risks. You should discuss the risks with your surgeon.
Medically Reviewed by a doctor on 21 Dec 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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