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Cholesteatoma

Jacob Burdett, DO Reviewed 06/2021
 


BASICS

Cholesteatoma is a collection of epithelial cells growing in an inappropriate area of the ear external to the dural lining. 

DESCRIPTION

  • Cholesteatoma was originally named based on its fatty appe...

DIAGNOSIS

HISTORY

  • Patients with cholesteatoma may present with multiple chronic symptoms or a few subtle findings. Symptoms are usually slowly progressive. The most common symptom is recurrent painless...

TREATMENT

GENERAL MEASURES

  • Cholesteatoma is frequently identified in the setting of chronic ear disease. Initial workup includes treatment of existing ear abnormalities per clinical standards. The pati...

ONGOING CARE

FOLLOW-UP RECOMMENDATIONS

  • Follow-up recommendations vary based on the surgical procedure used. If a cholesteatoma is not completely excised and externalization is mandated, frequent otolar...

REFERENCES

1
Nevoux  J, Lenoir  M, Roger  G, et al. Childhood cholesteatoma. Eur Ann Otorhinolaryngol Head Neck Dis.  2010;127(4):143–150. [View Abstract on OvidMedline] ...

ADDITIONAL READING

  • Chandrasekhar  S. Controversies in aetiology and management of cholesteatoma (N675): managing cholesteatoma: something old, something new, and something b...

CODES

ICD10

  • H71.9 Unspecified cholesteatoma

  • H71.91 Unspecified cholesteatoma, right ear

  • H71.93 Unspecified cholesteatoma, bilateral

  • H71.90 Unspecified cholesteatoma

  • H71.92 Unspecified cholesteatoma

  • H71.32 D...

CLINICAL PEARLS

  • Middle ear disease refractory to medical management should raise suspicion of cholesteatoma.

  • Complete examination of the ear includes inspection of the pars flaccida of the tympanic mem...

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