A cholesteatoma is a benign ear tumor that forms when skin abnormally grows behind the eardrum within the middle ear. Symptoms associated with a cholesteatoma typically include earache, numbness or drainage; dizziness; or hearing loss, MedlinePlus health professionals say. Without surgical treatment, cholesteatoma can cause severe complications in affected people.
Facial Nerve Damage
Facial nerve damage and degradation can occur as a complication of a cholesteatoma. This complication can cause symptoms of facial tingling, numbness or weakness, which can be uncomfortable. In certain cases, people with cholesteatoma can experience facial paralysis on one side of the face. If this occurs, affected people can develop facial drooping or may have difficulty voluntarily controlling their normal facial movements, such as smiling. Irreparable facial nerve damage complications resulting from cholesteatoma can cause permanent facial paralysis.
Brain Abscess or Meningitis
A tumor within the middle ear can cause erosion of surrounding bones, according to medical experts with The New York Eye and Ear Infirmary. Bone erosion can allow infection in the middle ear to spread to the inner ear or brain. Brain complications due to cholesteatoma can include a brain abscess or meningitis. A brain abscess due to infection causes the accumulation of pus and immune cells within the brain. Symptoms associated with a brain abscess typically result from brain inflammation and can include neck and shoulder pain, headache, fever, seizures, confusion, vomiting or vision alterations, MedlinePlus warns. Meningitis is a bacterial infection that affects the tissues that protect the brain and spinal cord. Symptoms of meningitis are similar to a brain abscess. They can include fever, nausea, vomiting, headache and stiff neck. Without prompt medical treatment, a brain abscess or meningitis due to cholesteatoma can be fatal.
Deafness
People with an untreated cholesteatoma can experience permanent hearing loss as a complication of this tumor, say University of Maryland Medical Center health experts. Deafness typically only affects the ear that contains a cholesteatoma. Certain people may also develop chronic ear drainage from the affected ear.
Inner Ear Swelling
Severe swelling of the inner ear, called labyrinthitis, can occur as a complication of a cholesteatoma. Persistent inner ear irritation can cause symptoms of vertigo, dizziness, upset stomach, ringing in the ear, hearing loss and decreased balance, MedlinePlus health professionals say. Though these complications are typically temporary, they can persist for several months.
