Cholesteatoma Flashcards
What is a Cholesteatoma?
Abn collection of Squamous epithelial cells in Middle ear
Is Cholesteatoma cancerous?
No
What can Cholesteatoma do in terms of invasions? (2 things)
- Invade local tissues n nerves
- Erode bones of middle ear
What are the pathophysiological steps of Cholesteatoma formation? (5 steps)
- Eustachian tube dysf
- Negative pressure in Middle ear
- Pocket of Tympanic memb retracts into Middle ear (gets sucked inwards)
- Squamous epithelial cells in pocket continue to proliferate
- Cells grow into surrounding space, bones + tissues
What are the pathophysiological steps of Cholesteatoma formation? (5 steps)
- Eustachian tube dysf
- Negative pressure in Middle ear
- Pocket of Tympanic memb retracts into Middle ear (gets sucked inwards)
- Squamous epithelial cells in pocket continue to proliferate
- Cells grow into surrounding space, bones + tissues
What structures can be damaged by a Cholesteatoma?
Ossicles (ear bones)
What can damage to Ossicles by a Cholesteatoma lead to?
Permanent hearing loss
What are the original main CF of Cholesteatoma? (2 things)
- Foul discharge from ear
- Unilat Conductive hearing loss
What are the CF of Cholesteatoma that develop after on after more invasion? (4 things)
- Inf
- Pain
- Vertigo
- Facial nerve palsy
What investigations can you do for sus Cholesteatoma? (3 things)
- Otoscopy
- CT head
- MRI
What will an Otoscopy show you in Cholesteatoma?
Abn build up of white debris / crust in Upper tympanic membrane
Why can Otoscopy sometimes be difficult in Cholesteatoma?
Can’t visualize tympanic membrane bc discharge / wax blocking canal
What is the point of a CT head in Cholesteatoma? (2 things)
- Confirm Dx
- Plan surgery
What is the point of a MRI in Cholesteatoma?
Helps assess invasion + damage to local soft tissues
What is the Tx for Cholesteatoma?
Surgical removal
