Mastoidectomy - Residual Cholesteatoma

[Guest guest]

Four days ago I had a canal wall down mastoidectomy to remove a cholesteatoma

from my mastoid.

The surgery lasted 5 hours which I think was more complicated than anyone

predicted.

I am recovering well, still a little sore and sick of the dressings but it's

been easier than expected. I have lost the taste on one side of my tongue though

which is rather strange.

Following my surgery I was told that my cholesteatoma was 'a residual

cholesteatoma.' Can anyone explain what that term means?

To give a little history, I had my last cholesteatoma/mastoid surgery 15 years

ago and have only experienced c'toma type symptoms for the last 2 years.

Otherwise my ear has been dry and relatively trouble free.

Since I have been home, I have been googling the term 'residual cholesteatoma'

and everything I have read has lead me to believe that the c'toma just removed

could've been a result of c'toma left behind from my first op. So this would

mean I have had this thing 'growing' in my mastoid for 15 years?! Is this

possible??

If Anyone can shed a little light on this, that would be great. Thank you.