What is a cholesteatoma?
Cholesteatoma is an abnormal cystic skin growth in the middle ear behind the eardrum.
Cholesteatoma is non-cancerous, but over time it can increase in size and destroy/erode the small hearing bones (malleus, incus, stapes) that carry sound in the middle ear.
What causes a cholesteatoma?
There can be two different causes of cholesteatoma-
1.Congenital cholesteatoma- It is a rare birth defect, which can form in the middle ear or in other areas of the ear as well.
2.Acquired cholesteatoma- It usually occurs due to poor functioning of eustachian tube function as well as infection in the middle ear.
The eustachian tube helps to equalize ear pressure and allows air to flow through the ear. Common causes of improper functioning of the eustachian tube are-
• Cold or sinus infections
• Allergies
• Chronic ear infections
When the eustachian tube does not work properly, the pressure within the middle ear can pull part of the eardrum the wrong way, creating a sac or cyst that can turn into a cholesteatoma. The growth gradually fills up with old skin cells, fluids, and other waste materials and becomes larger. Injury to the eardrum can also be one of the causes of cholesteatoma.
Also Read: Otitis Media / Middle Ear Infection
What are the symptoms of cholesteatoma?
The symptoms related to a cholesteatoma typically start out mild. They become more severe as the size of the cyst grows and begin to cause problems within your ear.
• A foul-smelling fluid, from the affected ear initially
• Growing cyst creates a sense of pressure in the ear, with discomfort
• Aching pain in or behind your ear, especially at night
• Tinnitus or Dizziness
• Difficulty in hearing
• In severe cases, where the cyst continues to grow unchecked, vertigo, facial muscle paralysis, and permanent hearing loss can happen.
How is a cholesteatoma diagnosed?
• Examination of the inside of the ear through an otoscope. An Otoscope helps the doctor to check if there are signs of a growing cyst, with a visible deposit of skin cells or a large mass of blood vessels in the ear.
• Hearing test, or audiogram
• CT scan- This will help to visualize the cyst or rule out other possible causes of your symptoms.
• MRI
How can cholesteatoma be treated?
• Careful cleaning of the ear
• Ear drops
• Antibiotics
Is cholesteatoma dangerous?
Cholesteatomas are often dangerous and should never be ignored. As, it usually spread to surrounding areas, including the inner ear and brain, and may cause bone erosion.
What are the complications of cholesteatoma?
• Destruction of the surrounding ear bones, the eardrum, the bones near the brain, and the nerves of the face. Permanent hearing loss can occur, if the bones within the ear are damaged.
• Chronic infection of the ear
• Form a bony abscess (mastoiditis)
• Paralysis of the facial muscles
• Meningitis, which is a life-threatening brain infection
• Brain abscesses, or collections of pus within the brain
Can cholesteatomas be prevented?
• Congenital cholesteatomas cannot be prevented.
• Prevention of acquired cholesteatomas can be done by treating ear infections quickly and thoroughly. It’s important to treat cholesteatomas as early as possible to prevent further complications to occur.
What is the homeopathic treatment of cholesteatoma?
• Acidum nitricum
• Belladonna
• Calcarea carb
• Kali Muriaticum
• Thuja occidentalis
