Dr. Sunita Chowdhary
Written by Dr. Sunita Chowdhary, L.C.E.H., M.D.[Hom]
Dr. Lakshmi Venkataraman
Medically Reviewed by Dr. Lakshmi Venkataraman, MD
Last Updated on Apr 04, 2019
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What are the Symptoms and Signs of Cholesteatoma?

Initial symptoms and signs of cholesteatoma may include:

  • Smelly ear discharge
  • Gradual hearing loss in one ear
  • Pain in ear
  • Feeling of pressure inside one ear
  • One-sided headaches

Other serious complications due to untreated cholesteatoma which require immediate medical attention and treatment include:

  • Dizziness (possible inner ear involvement)
  • Numbness on one side of face
  • Muscle weakness on one side of the face (due to nerve damage)
  • Redness and tenderness behind the ear may indicate spread of infection to the mastoid process.
  • Persistent ear discharge and high fever (due to chronic ear infection)
  • Confusion and fever (due to possible brain involvement)
  • Permanent loss of hearing due to damage to bones in the middle ear
Ear Pain, Foul-Smelling Ear Discharge and Hearing Loss: Chief Symptoms of Cholesteatoma (Ear Disease)

References:

  1. US department of health and human services- National institute of Health - Cholesteatoma - (https://rarediseases.info.nih.gov/diseases/10422/cholesteatoma/cases/25312)
  2. How Long is Long Enough to Follow up Children After Cholesteatoma Surgery? - (https://www.sbccp.org.br/arquivos/LG-2012-11-How-Long.pdf)
  3. An overview of chronic ear infections & cholesteatoma - (https://ent.ufl.edu/files/2013/06/Chronic-Ear-Infections-and-Cholesteatoma.pdf)
  4. Types of Vestibular Disorders- cholesteatoma - (https://vestibular.org/cholesteatoma)
  5. Chronic Otitis Media, Cholesteatoma and Mastoiditis - (https://www.health.harvard.edu/a_to_z/chronic-otitis-media-cholesteatoma-and-mastoiditis-a-to-z)
  6. What is a Cholesteatoma? - (https://ent-specialist.org/cholesteatoma/)
Published on Apr 04, 2019

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