Cholesteatoma Causes Symptoms and Treatments

A cholesteatoma is an abnormal skin growth in the middle ear behind the eardrum. D. Richard Kang, Board Certified Pediatric Otolaryngologist at the Boys Town Ear, Nose & Throat Institute and Director of the Cochlear Implant Center, explains what causes a cholesteatoma, the symptoms and dangers it can cause, and how it is treated. For more information about Dr. Kang, visit www.boystownhos...

[@Rellinois]

I had surgery two days ago let me say this it caused me to be depressed and anxious and irritated. After surgery I was in pain and still am now but I feel like a completely different person I feel better I'm more calm and I have mental clarity so God bless everyone out there that makes it through with this because it isn't easy

[@stephanieg3554]

OMG I feel you - I was recently diagnosed with this and its the loneliness, isolation, depression, anxiety and irritability that gets to me rather than the actual issues of the ear itself. Although I really hate that I cannot enjoy the sounds of the things I love anymore - until further notice - I do hope you made a successful recovery God bless

[@PhelpsLife]

I have had this since freshman year of high school. I am now 23 and have surgery in 1 month. I'm praying that all goes well as I have had smelly drainage for years and never got a solid answer why.. now I know what I have .. and that is a blessing... Now to get it removed... I'm very excited to be done with this chronic problem.

[@chrissycat7883]

Best video on Cholesteatoma I've seen. I am a lifelong ENT patient, and had horrible experiences as a child with an archaic doctor.. This led me to not wanting to go to the ENT whenever I would get an ear infection, which snowballed.. I remember when my Cholesteatoma issue began; I went swimming w/an ear infection at age 17. I didn't want to tell anyone about my infection, and didn't. It got worse and worse, but I let it go for over a year! I would get 'whooshing' sounds, like the sound of the ocean whooshing in and out of my affected ear, Right ear, and could changed the pressure in my ear by cupping my hand over it and making a suction. It hurt so bad- even on the outside of my ear, like a very sore muscle.. I ended up with a fantastic doctor, Dr. Pickett, who now works in Arizona I believe. My Cholesteatoma was treated surgically at age 18 1/2. My middle ear collapsed, it eroded my eardrum, and three of my middle ear bones. Cartilage had to be removed from my earlobe to help create a stable structure, and as the doctor knows, my facial nerve had to be severed, as well as my ear being opened like a door. It was HORRIBLE!! I have permanent hearing loss, but have not had another infection in that ear since my operation. I am now 39. I also have 3 teenage sons, and am hyper-vigilant when it comes to their health, especially teeth and ears. One of my twins has a history of ear infections, and after 3 sets of tubes we decided to place a 'permanent' T tube in last summer; he is 15. I sincerely hope he never goes through what I went through. The recovery is pretty much worse than the infection, but obviously had to happen, or else it was going into my brain cavity. Thank you for posting this very informative video . I hope a lot of people watch it and take ear care very seriously. I didn't, and paid the price; my right ear is just for show.

[@chrissycat7883]

RE: severing the facial nerve.. I did not have a drooping face, but my eyelid on the affected side is more hooded than the left. Also, I still have no taste sensation on the right side of my tongue. Worth it 100% .

[@amarie1665]

I’ve had two surgeries on my left ear. I now have an artificial ear bone, canal wall down with a tube & titanium disk. Just found out I have to have a cholesteatoma removed from my right ear before it becomes an issue like the left. I appreciate this video. It gets hard trying to explain to family and friends what a cholesteatoma actually is.

[@vixen8395]

Thank you so much for this, I've had this since I was 8 years old and now I'm 16 getting my seventh operation in a month. Here where I live cholesteatoma is rare. I have major hearing loss which also makes it very difficult. My doctor never was able to make me understand what cholesteatoma really was so this video helped a lot. And the comments make me feel not alone

[@therealgurk9637]

I am about to have my second surgery now :) They removed the ossicles and the cyst during the first surgery, but now there is a huge empty space in my middle ear which they need to fill with cartilage. I wonder where they will harvest it from. But despite not having the little bones, my hearing is pretty good :D And I am happy for that. The surgerons did a pretty rad job with it :D

[@thelearnersclub4135]

I recently had a masoidectomy and tympnoplasty operation done in my left ear ,however two years before I underwent a surgery for the removal of cholesteatoma from my left ear.My ear bone was dislocated due to cholesteatoma growth which resulted in central perforations of my ear drum.Doctor has strictly said me not to sneeze wih my nose but with my mouth open.

[@djklink20009]

I found out I have this recently and boy was a scared but I cannot wait for surgery I'm on the list just gotta wait

[@doloresswann4600]

Thank you helping me understand why I got cholesteatoma twice - I had long standing and frequent ear infections back then ...even mastoiditis at age 16 and also in 1989. The infection for the first surgery was very close to getting to my brain, which is why even after going into respiratory arrest x3 with that first surgery, my dr. said he could not stop the surgery because of so much pus drainage. The surgery was stopped 3 times for 15 min. each time since I had a difficult intubation back in 1989 & 1991... which I understand wouldn't happen today due to video intubations now in 2016. Dr. Dennis Bojrab literally saved my life back . then AND my ear.

[@LILLUV4EVER]

i had this but i finnaly got it removed on july 23 2015 and im very thank full of the doctors that helped meand the only thing that was affected was my right side of my touge where i lost the taste but anyway im greatful that it wasnt in my brain. im also 15 years old.

[@xCodeXANA]

Is it possible to get a cholesteatoma when you have ear tubes? I've had the same tubes in since 2009 with the left one having a hypertrophic scar around it...

[@some16]

I had this when I was 7 (24 years ago) in my right ear and it spread into my inner ear. I have permanent hearing loss and had 4 operations all together. Fortunately I had some good surgeons so no complications... I have not had any problems since my last operation ca. 7 years ago and havent had the regular follow ups since that time.. Would it be reccomended to continue follow ups even if I havent had symptoms since the last operation?

[@boystownhospital]

It’s always a good idea to check in with a physician if you have concerns.

[@Spooney19]

Is it the bacteria making your ear weak or is it something else

[@Sahltyyy]

My partner is 22 and has had problems with his ear since he was 16. Last year they informed him that he has this. Since then they will not give him surgery untill the infection has cleared, which it never has and every time they prescribe him drips that cause his ear to leak and cause the skin to fall off, get itchy and lately has caused a rashed that is spreading onto his face. Another two weeks untill his appointment with ENT. I am so afraid this is going to get 10x worse because they wont operate yet. Am I worrying about nothing? Or should I be pushing to do more??

[@boystownhospital]

Aleysha Crawford It's always a good idea to check with your ENT physician if you have concerns.

[@Byproxyschannel]

I'v had this and done surgery 4 times for it, the last time it had gotten to my brain and I almost died. You should take this seriously and do something about it.

[@chrissycat7883]

OMG!! 4 times?!! How could you bear it? I only had one very serious surgery and it was thee most painful experience of my life, including giving birth to twins with zero meds. Hoping good health for you.

[@Sahltyyy]

Pretty disturbing to know I posted this 2 years ago and we're still going through it. My partner had the op. Apparently wasn't as bad as surgeon thought so he didn't really go in deep. A year later and yes it's back. Waiting for another Op in Feb. Crossing fingers because after over 5 years it's really taking its toll on his health.

[@chrissycat7883]

Aleysha Crawford OMG!! 2 freakin' years??!! That is so unacceptable!! Poor guy! Now its back?! I would question whether or not the first doc really did his job, or knew the correct techniques. Did they take cartilage from his ear- the pointy part above the earlobe? That is crucial. It is used to form an 'umbrella' to protect the middle ear from collapsing again. Its very easy to tell if they did; just feel both ears- the pointy parts above the lobe. If one is a little squishy, then they did indeed use the cartilage. If not, they didn't and that's bad. What a horrible, painful experience. You guys are in my thoughts. Hoping you find a Great ENT that specializes in these cases. Best wishes and happy Thanksgiving.

[@jameslawson7383]

Is there a connection between this and nasal cholesteatoma. I find the nasal cholesteatoma to be a lot more nasty looking.

[@HalfWayDawn]

They had to preform an ossiculectomy on me when they removed my cholesteatoma. I just wonder if there are anyone here who can explain tom he how it is possible for me to hear without the ossicles? I mean, my hearing is a little reduced, yes, but it is hardly noticeable.

[@kelseybarfly]

Catwhale My ossicles are quite damaged, but because of grafts I have great bone conduction so my hearing isn’t bad. You probably have good bone conduction as well

[@BeastEJ620]

I have this infection. I've had it since age 7. My ear was draining blood and wax. So I can't really swim. But I have a vain that the cholesteatoma created.

[@derpbear1237]

I had it when I was 4

[@cjwithers210]

I had this at the age of about 5, I now have no middle ear and no hearing in the left and a little bit of hearing in the right. it has grown back about 4 times, nasty thing

[@froghghhgh5615]

idk if i have tmj or this... my jaw does hurt. but my ear hurts alottttttttttttttttttt more

[@chrissycat7883]

Does it hurt when you touch it on the outside?

[@williamstrnad4243]

I'm getting surgery

[@Warchild-007]

William Strnad How are you now?

[@redtiny802]

Go ta Boys Town