Cholesteatoma Flashcards
1
Q
Pathophysiology?
A
Non-cancerous growth of squamous epithelium that is ‘trapped’ within the skull base causing local destruction
2
Q
Most common in which age group?
A
Patients aged 10-20 years
3
Q
What increases the risk of cholesteatoma around 100 fold?
A
Being born with a cleft palate
4
Q
Main symptoms?
A
- foul-smelling, non-resolving discharge
* hearing loss
5
Q
Other symptoms which are determined by local invasion?
A
- vertigo
- facial nerve palsy
- cerebellopontine angle syndrome
6
Q
What is cerebellopontine angle syndrome?
A
- ipsilateral deafness
- nystagmus
- reduced corneal reflex
- Vth and VIIth nerve palsies
- ipsilateral cerebellar signs
7
Q
What is seen on otoscopy?
A
Attic crust (seen on the uppermost part of the eardrum)
8
Q
Management?
A
Refer patient to ENT for consideration of surgical removal
