Cholesteatoma

Cholesteatoma is a destructive and expanding sac in the middle ear and/or mastoid process. There are two types: congenital and acquired. Acquired cholesteatomas can be caused by a tear or retraction of the ear drum. The status of cholesteatomas as tumors is currently unsettled. A cholesteatoma cyst consists of desquamating (peeling) layers of scaly or keratinised (horny) layers of epithelium, which may also contain cholesterol crystals. If untreated, a cholesteatoma can eat into the three sm ...