$Unique_ID{BRK00730}
$Pretitle{}
$Title{Surgery in a Child's Ear for Cholesterol?}
$Subject{ears infection tumor Sense senses middle ear infections Cholesteatoma
eustachian tube partial vacuum skin growth hearing loss dizziness facial
muscle paralysis discharge foul odor antibiotics surgery surgeries surgical
operations operation dizzy}
$Volume{F-21, A-21}
$Log{
Anatomy of the Inner Ear*0003301.scf}

Copyright (c) 1991-92,1993   Tribune Media Services, Inc.


Surgery in a Child's Ear for Cholesterol?


------------------------------------------------------------------------------

QUESTION:  We are anxious about a telephone call telling us that our son may
require surgery in his ear for cholesterol.  We were unaware that this could
happen, and need further explanations.  You seem closer to us than the
children's doctor, so we thought you might answer our letter.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

ANSWER:  From your letter, I am assuming your adult son living in another city
is the person facing the surgery, and I will try to give you the explanations
you seek.  To start with it is not cholesterol that is the cause of the
problem, but a condition that can result from repeated middle ear infections
that is called "Cholesteatoma", a name that is easily confused with
cholesterol, but the two conditions are not related in any way.  When the
chronic ear infections block the eustachian tube, which leads from the middle
ear to the back of the nose, the air in the middle ear is absorbed by the
body, and a partial vacuum is created.  Normally the eustachian tube maintains
the normal ear air pressure necessary for the little bones contained here to
function properly and conduct sounds to the inner ear.  When a vacuum forms,
it causes a pouch or sac to form by stretching the ear drum and sucking in the
tissue.  As the pouch sheds its outer layers, it creates a skin growth made up
of old cells and tissue debris, and begins to grow much as a tumor might.
When this growing mass presses on the delicate structures contained in the
middle ear the tissues may be destroyed, and hearing loss, dizziness and even
facial muscle paralysis can result.  The first symptoms usually are a
discharge from the ear, customarily with a foul odor, and a feeling of
fullness or pressure in the ear.  Fortunately, the condition is treatable.  At
first, antibiotics are used to stop the infection, and the ear is carefully
cleaned to stop the drainage.  If the cholesteatoma is large, it must be
removed surgically, to prevent the complications from progressing.  Once the
mass is completely removed and the infection eradicated, there are special
surgical techniques available to reconstruct the middle ear structures and
restore hearing--if not completely, at least in part.  The sooner the
operation can be performed, the better the results may be.  I am sure your son
will do well.

----------------

The material contained here is "FOR INFORMATION ONLY" and should not replace
the counsel and advice of your personal physician.  Promptly consulting your
doctor is the best path to a quick and successful resolution of any medical
problem.