Cholesteatoma symptoms include dizziness, pressure in the ear, hearing loss, and a foul-smelling liquid. If left untreated, it can lead to serious problems such as brain abscesses, deafness, or even death. Treatment usually involves surgery.
Cholesteatoma symptoms often begin with dizziness and a feeling of fullness or pressure in the affected ear. Some degree of hearing loss is also common among those with this medical condition. In some cases, a foul-smelling liquid may leak from the ear and may indicate the presence of an infection. Additional cholesteatoma symptoms may include pain, numbness, or muscle weakness on the affected side of the head. If left untreated, cholesteatoma can lead to brain abscesses, deafness, or even death.
Chronic dizziness and a feeling of pressure in the ear are usually among the first symptoms of cholesteatoma. Many patients will also notice a discharge coming out of the ear, particularly when lying down. This discharge may smell bad and in some cases may also contain pus. There may be pain or discomfort behind the ear that tends to get worse at night. In some cases of cholesteatoma, muscle weakness may occur on the affected side of the face and head.
While a cholesteatoma is a noncancerous type of tumor, serious problems can develop if it isn’t treated. Damage to the small bones responsible for hearing can occur, especially if recurring ear infections are a problem. Meningitis, deafness, or facial paralysis may occur unless this condition is treated promptly. Minor symptoms of cholesteatoma can be treated successfully with professional ear cleaning combined with antibiotic therapy. More severe cases usually require surgery.
A mastoidectomy is the usual method of treatment when cholesteatoma symptoms become severe enough to cause lingering problems. In this procedure, the growth is surgically removed from the mastoid bone, and in some cases, part of the bone itself must be removed to properly treat the condition. Most doctors will attempt to clear the infection through the use of antibiotics before deciding on the most appropriate surgical method to remove the tumor.
In many cases, cholesteatoma symptoms do not return after the condition has been successfully treated, although it is possible for the tumor to grow back after a period of time. Some doctors may monitor the ear at periodic intervals, while others may simply recommend a return to the office until bothersome symptoms return. For those who have recurring ear infections or pain when water gets into the ear after treatment, the odds are higher that the growth has returned.
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