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Cholesteatoma Symptoms

Cholesteatoma is an ear disease that involves a skin cyst growing into the middle ear behind the eardrum. Although the cyst is not cancerous, it destroys tissue as it grows and causes hearing loss. Usually cholesteatoma is caused by repeated ear infections, and sometimes trauma. Rarely, the disorder is present at birth.

  1. Hearing Loss

    • Often, the first symptom of cholesteatoma is hearing loss, as the expanding cyst causes deterioration of the eardrum and ossicles--or bones--of hearing.

    Discharge

    • Cholesteatoma also may cause intermittent or regular discharge from the ear, which may be bloody or have a foul odor.

    Pain

    • Cholesteatoma usually is not painful unless it leads to an ear infection, resulting in pain and swelling. Sometimes the person feels an ache behind or in the ear.

    Pressure

    • A person with cholesteatoma might feel pressure in the ear or a feeling of fullness or numbness.

    Other Symptoms

    • Other cholesteatoma symptoms include dizziness or muscle weakness on the side of the face with the ear disorder.

    Treatment

    • Initial treatment usually consists of cleaning of the ear, antibiotics and ear drops. If these approaches fail to relieve symptoms, surgery may be necessary. In such cases, the cholesteatoma is removed, allowing the ear to dry and the infection to be erradicated.

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