Sack like Growth in the ear Outline

MEDICAL TERM
Cholesteatoma

AGE
Early teens to adults

SYMPTOMS

• Usually painless
• Draining ear
• Hearing loss

Most commonly seen in the older child who has had long term fluid in the ear.  With the increased use of middle ear ventilation tubes this type of problem is becoming less frequent.

PHYSICAL EXAM

• Ear drum with white cheesy looking material present
• Greenish drainage (purulent, or pus)
• Granulation tissue may be present (reddish tissue caused by drainage and infection)

Drainage from the ear may be the first sign of any trouble.

LAB

• Conductive hearing loss
• Tympanogram type B or C

TREATMENT

• Surgical removal
• Oral antibiotics
• Antibiotic ear drops
• Cleaning out of the ear

Cholesteatoma is a progressive disease that requires surgical removal. The operation for this problem involves doing mastoid surgery and removing the sack that is causing the problem.

REFERRAL
All people with this problem need to be seen by their ear doctor.

PREVENTION
This problem can usually be prevented by the use of middle ear ventilation tubes. This is mainly an adult problem that develops from a childhood disease. Once a person has developed a cholesteatoma, he/she may have problems with that ear for life. Cholesteatoma in children is a very aggressive disease and needs immediate treatment.