Cholesteatoma of the Ear(s)....

rockin'robin

rockin'robin

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Any feedback would be appreciated!...Seems I have a "growth forming" in my left ear, and might be due for surgery in December. Anyone ever experience this?
 
what kinda growth? I don't know too much about the cholesteatoma... all I know is my mom actually had an extra bone in 1 ear once, and had it removed. The extra bone kinda interfered with her hearing (she's hearing).
 
I'm sorry to hear about that.

A Cholesteatoma is a benign tumor (non cancerous) and it's potentially very serious. I've had one before and I've since learned that there's a chance that it may return. They can have fatal consequences if they're not dealt with, this is because they can be progressively destructive if left untreated. However, this is believed to be rare providing you get it treated.

Large or complicated Cholesteatoma's require surgery in order to remove. Some can be removed through the ear canal. However, it's common for an incision to be made behind the ear in order to remove it. If the latter is the case, it will take around two weeks to recover from this and you will be left with a 1-2 inch scar behind your ear when it heals.

Again, if it's left untreated and if it grows, it may damage your middle ear, causing further hearing loss. In addition, it may also damage your facial nerve. This could alter your appearance and would impair your facial movement.
The surgery itself also poses a risk to your facial nerve. This is due to the fact that your surgeon will be working within close proximity to your facial nerve. Therefore, it will be more exposed during surgery, thus making it more vulnerable. Your surgeon should make this clear to you before you undergo any surgery. AFAIK, it's not a high risk, but it's still a risk. I was fortunate in this respect when I had this condition.

Basically, if you have been diagnosed with a Cholesteatoma, make sure you get it sorted, the sooner the better. Again, the long term implications and consequences can be reduced or even eliminated providing it's treated early.


cdmeggers said:
what kinda growth? I don't know too much about the cholesteatoma... all I know is my mom actually had an extra bone in 1 ear once, and had it removed. The extra bone kinda interfered with her hearing (she's hearing).
Click to expand...

That sounds more like an abnormality with the Ossicles.
 
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Superb job of explaining it, ExR....thks so much. I've had 2 surgeries on the left and 2 on the right (but not for this situation).
So...my doctor just "noticed" it, said it was "forming". So I do feel lucky in a way, just dread more surgery. Will be seeing an specialist for the Ear only in Dec. So will know more by then.
 
rockin'robin said:
Any feedback would be appreciated!...Seems I have a "growth forming" in my left ear, and might be due for surgery in December. Anyone ever experience this?
Click to expand...

Has an ENT or neurosurgeon confirmed a diagnosis of cholesteatoma? had MRI or CT yet? Cholesteatoma although serious is usually fairly treatable. Unfortunately it does involve structures very near to the brain so surgery will always be delicate. I am very interested in other details (for my own education) and if you like to discuss that sort of stuff in PM. I never shy away from new information because if I can articulate it with anything I've ever previously learned- I very well may have future application where I can help another individual. thanks robin
 
rockin'robin said:
Superb job of explaining it, ExR....thks so much. I've had 2 surgeries on the left and 2 on the right (but not for this situation).
So...my doctor just "noticed" it, said it was "forming". So I do feel lucky in a way, just dread more surgery. Will be seeing an specialist for the Ear only in Dec. So will know more by then.
Click to expand...

Was it an ENT doctor/registrar/consultant or just a normal GP? (I believe they're called family doctors in the US?) If it's just a GP, he may not be qualified or experienced enough to make such a diagnosis. A Cholesteatoma is definitely a condition for the specialists to deal with. With a bit of luck, you may not even have a Cholesteatoma.

Normally if you have a Cholesteatoma, you will have at least some of the following symptoms:

- Drainage
- Ear pressure
- Feeling dizzy
- Sudden hearing loss

Here, Doctors don't tend to explain in much detail and I think that's a shame. Because of that, I've done most of my research online.
Here's an interesting article. (Some of the comments are interesting too)

Cholesteatoma - Cause of Hearing Loss and Deafness
 
hohDougRN said:
Has an ENT or neurosurgeon confirmed a diagnosis of cholesteatoma? had MRI or CT yet? Cholesteatoma although serious is usually fairly treatable. Unfortunately it does involve structures very near to the brain so surgery will always be delicate. I am very interested in other details (for my own education) and if you like to discuss that sort of stuff in PM. I never shy away from new information because if I can articulate it with anything I've ever previously learned- I very well may have future application where I can help another individual. thanks robin
Click to expand...

Yes, Doug, had an MRI/CT on both ears. My ENT confirmed it, and has referred me to an Ear Specialist Only, not an ENT. The only appt. I could get the quickest was Dec. 4, my ENT said not to worry too much, keeping up with the drops for infection until then.
I have the print-out from the Diagnostic Imaging Services, it's pretty lengthly, and a lot of medical jargon (little difficult to undy it all).

Will PM you later on about it, and thks. so much for ur input!
 
rockin'robin said:
Yes, Doug, had an MRI/CT on both ears. My ENT confirmed it, and has referred me to an Ear Specialist Only, not an ENT. The only appt. I could get the quickest was Dec. 4, my ENT said not to worry too much, keeping up with the drops for infection until then.
I have the print-out from the Diagnostic Imaging Services, it's pretty lengthly, and a lot of medical jargon (little difficult to undy it all).

Will PM you later on about it, and thks. so much for ur input!
Click to expand...

Ok thanks. Also any question about any medical word you don't find familiar I will be happy to clarify. It may help eaze any tension you feel about it. Yes yes, keep with the ear drops diligently as scheduled.
 
ExR said:
Was it an ENT doctor/registrar/consultant or just a normal GP? (I believe they're called family doctors in the US?) If it's just a GP, he may not be qualified or experienced enough to make such a diagnosis. A Cholesteatoma is definitely a condition for the specialists to deal with. With a bit of luck, you may not even have a Cholesteatoma.

Normally if you have a Cholesteatoma, you will have at least some of the following symptoms:

- Drainage
- Ear pressure
- Feeling dizzy
- Sudden hearing loss

Here, Doctors don't tend to explain in much detail and I think that's a shame. Because of that, I've done most of my research online.
Here's an interesting article. (Some of the comments are interesting too)

Cholesteatoma - Cause of Hearing Loss and Deafness
Click to expand...

Yea, after the MRI/CT...my ENT was right. He referred me to an Ear Specialist only. As for the symptoms you mentioned, I've had them a very long time! Thks for the link!
 
hohDougRN said:
Ok thanks. Also any question about any medical word you don't find familiar I will be happy to clarify. It may help eaze any tension you feel about it. Yes yes, keep with the ear drops diligently as scheduled.
Click to expand...

Just PM'ed ya a few minutes ago...hope you got it!
 
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