Treatment
Surgery is needed to remove the cyst.
Prognosis (Expectations)
Cholesteatomas usually continue to grow if not removed. Surgery usually works, but you may occasionally need the ear cleaned by a health care provider. Additional surgery may be needed if the cholesteatoma comes back.
Complications
- Brain abscess
- Deafness in one ear
- Dizziness (vertigo)
- Erosion into the facial nerve (causing facial paralysis)
- Labyrinthitis
- Meningitis
- Persistent ear drainage
- Spread of the cyst into the brain
Calling Your Health Care Provider
Call your health care provider if ear pain, drainage from the ear, or other symptoms occur or worsen, or if hearing loss occurs.
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Cholesteatoma : Overview, Causes, & Risk Factors
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Cholesteatoma : Symptoms & Signs, Diagnosis & Tests
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Cholesteatoma : Treatment
Review Date : 7/15/2008
Reviewed By : Alan Lipkin, MD, Otolargyngologist, private practice, Denver, CO. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.
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