A cholesteatoma can be dangerous to your health if left untreated. This abnormal skin growth behind the eardrum can lead to serious complications by damaging crucial structures in the ear. Here’s what you need to know: Potential Complications: Facial Nerve Damage: This can lead to facial palsy. Hearing Bones Damage: This may cause deafness and tinnitus. Balance System Damage: This can result in dizziness or total loss of balance and hearing in that ear (known as a dead ear). Brain Risks: The bony barrier between the ear and brain can wear away, increasing the risk of severe infections. Infection Risks: Mastoiditis: Infection spreading into the mastoid bone. Brain Abscess or Meningitis: Infections spreading into the brain. Blood Vessel Blockage: Infection in the mastoid bone can block the main blood vessel, draining blood from the brain. Treatment: Surgical Removal: Nearly always recommended to prevent these dangerous complications. If you suspect you
When is adenoid surgery required? Adenoids are part of the immune system like our tonsils. If your child has an enlarged adenoid, he/she can have the following symptoms. Enlarged adenoids can lead to a blocked nose. This can lead to thick secretions in the nose and bad breath. A child with a blocked nose may be mouth-breathing most of the time and can lead to prominent upper teeth. Enlarged adenoids can affect a child's sleep quality, leading to sleep apnoea and snoring. They may breathe like "Darth Vader". Enlarged adenoids can block the Eustachian Tube. The Eustachian Tube is responsible for maintaining air pressure in the middle ear. Enlarged adenoids can contribute to a glue ear and frequent ear infections. How is adenoid surgery done? Adenoid surgery is done as a day-case procedure under general anaesthesia. The procedure itself takes 20-30 minutes. ENT doctors can perform adenoid surgery through the mouth or the nose with the help of an endoscope. The child should