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Cholesteatoma

Treatment:

Surgery is needed to remove the cyst.

Expectations (prognosis):

Cholesteatomas usually continue to grow if not removed. Surgery usually works, but you may need the ear cleaned every once in a way. Additional surgery may be needed if the cholesteatoma recurs.

Complications:

Deafness in one ear
Dizziness (vertigo)
Persistent ear drainage
Erosion into the facial nerve (causing facial paralysis )
Spread of the cyst into the brain
Labyrinthitis
Meningitis
Brain abscess

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.

Tympanic membrane

Review Date: 8/3/2006
Reviewed By: Alden J. Pearl, M.D., Clinical Assistant Professor, Department of Otolaryngology, State University of New York Health Science Center atBrooklyn, Brooklyn, NY. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

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