In this article, we will discuss Short Note on Cholesteatoma. So, let’s get started.
Cholesteatoma
It occurs in dangerous type otitis media. It is a sac line by keratinizing stratified squamous epithelium in the middle ear cleft and contains desquamated epithelium arranged like onion skin layer. It has got consistency of a tooth paste with high destructive power. Hence it is defined as a “nonmalignant bone destroying disease of the ear.”
Symptoms
• Otorrhoea
• Deafness (mild to moderate degree)
• Earache
• Tinnitus
• Giddiness (may be due to labyrinthitis)
• Bleeding (due to granulations or polyps)
• Swelling in the mastoid region due to mastoid abscess
• Complications may be indicated by pain, fever, giddiness, vomiting, neck region localizing neurological signs, loss of orientation and gradual loss of consciousness
• Perforation
– Benign type: Central perforate
– Dangerous type: Attic or marginal perforate
Investigations
• Examinations of nose/pharynx
• Hearing tests
• Bacteriological examination
• X-rays
• CT scan
• Testing the patency of Eustachian tube
– If the ear drops reaches the throat, the tube is patent.
– Valsalva manoeuvre
– Otomicroscopy
Treatment
Conservative Treatment
• Removal of septic foci like adenoid and tonsils.
• Treatment for sinusitis and deviated nasal septum.
• Aural toilet (water should not be used) dry clean swab stick or by snetior.
• Antiseptic ear drops.
• Antibiotic ear drops.
• Chemical cautery
• Good nutrition.
• Anti-tetanus immunization.
Surgical Treatment
• Removal of polyps of granulation followed by chemical cauterization or by tympanoplasty.
• Tympanoplasty- Reconstruction of the ear drum and the Ossicular chain is performed
• In severe cases Mastoidectomy also performed.