Re: Can C-toma come out on it's own?

January 10, 2008

No..you will not be able to clean out the cholesteatoma by yourself and

I would like to discourage you from trying to do so. Please don't put

anything into your ear canal , because you may cause more damage to the

ear drum.

I know that cholesteatomas are very unpleasant, but I think it would be

best to have a professional deal with.

elke

gailcraig24 wrote:

I had a congentital C-toma removed when I was 8, now 26 years

later I

have been told I have another on the outer side of my ear drum.

I have a hospital appointment in 2 weeks time but today while cleaning

my ear, a large dark browny mass came out. Mostly firm and looked a

bit like a burnt cornflake! It had colour variations.

Could this be the C-toma? My ear feels like there is a draught going

throug and I had a little pain. I have kept the mass anyway to show

the hospital.

Any ideas?

January 24, 2008

I had my appointment today.

Doc wasnt sure what the mass was that came out but says that I have to

have surgery in 4 weeks. I live in Munich, Germany but I am ish.

I speak only basic German and am here with my hubby and 3 kids, no

other family.

I am so worried. The doc told me I will be in hospital for 2 weeks.

First 3 days of IV antibiotics then surgery. There is a 30% chance of

a 2nd operation to reconstruct if they cant do it at this time. I had

a total mastoidectomy when I was 8. It seems such a long time to be

doing this. I had a hearing test and I only have 20% in the affected

ear and 80% in the 'good' ear.

Will reconstruction make much difference after this time? I dont

know, I'm just a bit in shock as I had convinced myself it was only a

minor problem

>

> I had a congentital C-toma removed when I was 8, now 26 years later I

> have been told I have another on the outer side of my ear drum.

>

> I have a hospital appointment in 2 weeks time but today while

cleaning

> my ear, a large dark browny mass came out. Mostly firm and looked a

> bit like a burnt cornflake! It had colour variations.

>

> Could this be the C-toma? My ear feels like there is a draught going

> throug and I had a little pain. I have kept the mass anyway to show

> the hospital.

>

> Any ideas?

>

January 24, 2008

I think success with hearing after reconstruction varies quite a bit.

They'll tell you the main goal is a clean dry ear. According to Google

translator that will be " Sauberen und trockenen Ohr. " Anything beyond

that is icing on the cake. I think the docs get a major ego boost from

good hearing restoration though.

A two week hospital stay seems quite long. I'm guessing that there are

some complications?

If it's any comfort, and in my view it should be, my

otologist/neurotologist went to Europe for his most advanced training.

I can't remember if it was Switzerland or Germany though.

.... and I hate to sound like a scolding parent, but stop cleaning out

your ears on your own! {nothing smaller than your elbow, remember?}

:-)

You'll be wanting to visit an otologist for cleaning and inspections on

a routine basis in the future. This doc is an experienced

otologist/neurotologist right?

All the best,

Matt

gailcraig24 wrote:

>

> I had my appointment today.

>

> Doc wasnt sure what the mass was that came out but says that I have to

> have surgery in 4 weeks. I live in Munich, Germany but I am ish.

> I speak only basic German and am here with my hubby and 3 kids, no

> other family.

>

> I am so worried. The doc told me I will be in hospital for 2 weeks.

> First 3 days of IV antibiotics then surgery. There is a 30% chance of

> a 2nd operation to reconstruct if they cant do it at this time. I had

> a total mastoidectomy when I was 8. It seems such a long time to be

> doing this. I had a hearing test and I only have 20% in the affected

> ear and 80% in the 'good' ear.

>

> Will reconstruction make much difference after this time? I dont

> know, I'm just a bit in shock as I had convinced myself it was only a

> minor problem

>

> >

> > I had a congentital C-toma removed when I was 8, now 26 years later I

> > have been told I have another on the outer side of my ear drum.

> >

> > I have a hospital appointment in 2 weeks time but today while

> cleaning

> > my ear, a large dark browny mass came out. Mostly firm and looked a

> > bit like a burnt cornflake! It had colour variations.

> >

> > Could this be the C-toma? My ear feels like there is a draught going

> > throug and I had a little pain. I have kept the mass anyway to show

> > the hospital.

> >

> > Any ideas?

> >

>

--

January 24, 2008

Hi

I'm not sure whether I can be of any assistance, but I was a German linguist (before hearing impairment dictated I concentrate on English only) and I was wondering whether I might be able to help you.

I am not medically qualified in any way, but I can perhaps write down the translation of any questions you may have?

I hope I'm not out of order, but if you feel I can may be able to help, please let me know, either here in the group, or direct via my personal email.