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Discussion:
- An acquired cholesteatoma is a collection of exfoliated squamous epithelium and debris.
- Cholesteatomas often begin at the pars flaccida of the tympanic membrane and grow in Prussak's space of the temporal bone and produce inflammatory reaction.
- Cholesteatomas typically occur in the setting of chronic dysfunction of the Eustachian tubes and recurrent otitis media.
- Cholesteatomas can be as small as a couple of millimeters in size or can grow to fill the entire middle ear.
- Erosions of the scutum and ossicles are commonly seen.
- The presence of bony erosions or expansion are strong support of cholesteatoma over chronic otomastoiditis.
- Acquired cholesteatomas occur in children and adults.
- Most common presenting symptoms include ear discharge, hearing loss, ear pain and vertigo.
- Without treatment cholesteatomas will progressively increase in size.
- Complications include: Hearing loss, CN 7 palsy, venous sinus thrombosis, semicircular canal fistulas, and intracranial invasion.
- Early surgical intervention usually results in complete eradication and preservation of hearing.
Differential diagnosis:
- Acquired cholesteatoma
- Chronic otomastoiditis
- Middle ear cholesterol granuloma
- Glomus tympanicum paraganglioma
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