A 48-year-old woman visits the office because she has had intermittent ear discharge for the past two years. She has recently noticed a decrease in hearing in her right ear. Obesity, hyperlipidemia, seasonal allergies, and diet-controlled diabetes mellitus all require a review of one's medical history. A small perforation in the right tympanic membrane and a pearly mass behind the membrane are visible on otoscopy. The right ear has conduction hearing loss. The rest of the ear, nose, and throat exam is routine. Which of the following is the most likely cause of this patient's aural mass?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Eductional Objective: Cholesteatomas are masses formed by squamous cell debris behind the tympanic membrane. Cholesteatomas can be congenital or develop as an acquired primary lesion or as a result of a middle ear infection, trauma, or surgery. They can cause hearing loss by eroding the auditory ossicles.

A 48-Year-Old Woman Visits the Office Because She Has Had