Treatment:

Surgery is needed to remove the cyst.

Expectations (prognosis):

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.