A patient with cholesteatoma may present with one or more clinical findings.
Clinical findings:
(1) fullness in the ear
(2) pain in the ear
(3) chronic headache
(4) hearing loss
(5) discharge from the ear, which may be foul smelling and purulent
Examination of discharge material will show keratin debris. It should be cultured if infected in order to help guide antibiotic therapy.
An otoscopic examination may show:
(1) a pearly gray mass in the external auditory canal or middle ear.
(2) a perforation in the tympanic membrane
Imaging studies may be necessary:
(1) to identify a cholesteatoma that cannot be seen by otoscopy
(2) to determine the extent of involvement
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Specialty: Neurology, Otolaryngology
ICD-10: ,
