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Cholesterol granuloma

Posted , 8 users are following.

Belle123
Belle123

I've had ETD for 8 months now. Recently I had a CT scan as the doctor suspected my infection had spread to my mastoid. My mastoid was clear however a left petrous apex opacification showed up on my scan. According to my ENT I have fluid deep inside my inner ear behind my eye. I'm having an MRI with contrast next week as he suspects Cholesterol granuloma. I've tried googling it and can't really find too much information. I know it's a long shot but has anyone been through this experience? I have bad tinnitus, hearing loss, pain around my eye, vertigo, stabbing pain, retracted eardrum and an incredibily itchy ear!

0 likes, 14 replies

14 Replies

  • Olizzieo
    Olizzieo Belle123

    Posted

    Do you mean cholesteatoma and granulated tissue?
    • Belle123
      Belle123 Olizzieo

      Posted

      No i mean a Cholesterol granuloma in my petrous apex
    • djarvis
      djarvis Belle123

      Posted

      Hi Belle, I have a cholesterol Granuloma in my Right Apex. Found by mistake in an MRI. I am now trying to find out what i should do. Wait or go ahead now as it is small 10mm .. I have many questions. I see a Specialist at UCSF medical center. What was the outcome of you CG  ? Did you have the surgery? If so, Did the go through your nose or behind the ear? How big was your CG?
  • ptolemy
    ptolemy Belle123

    Posted

    If you have cholestorol granuloma, it is a benign cyst near your middle ear. As they can expand it can cause hearing loss and other problems, but they can be surgically removed. I believe you can have non invasive techniques nowadays depending on the cyst, so no scarring. 
    • Belle123
      Belle123 ptolemy

      Posted

      Thanks, there doesn't seem to be too much information out there as a cholestorol granuloma inside the petrous apex doesn't seem to be common. I have my MRI in 9 days so hopefully the fluid isn't a cyst. My ears have just been one problem after another sad

    • ptolemy
      ptolemy Belle123

      Posted

      It is pretty rare so you probably are OK. It is always worrying when you do not know though.
    • Belle123
      Belle123 ptolemy

      Posted

      Yes it is. I have had retracted eardrums for the past 6 months which i'm getting grommets for so I hope the pain is due to that. The CT scan wasn't done with contrast but it showed a massive white mass that has filled the entire of my left petrous apex. The right is completly clear and hallow. Looks very different

    • ptolemy
      ptolemy Belle123

      Posted

      Good luck with your MRI scan, it is not too long to wait, although I am sure it feels like an eternity.
    • djarvis
      djarvis Belle123

      Posted

      I have recently been Diagnosis with a cholesterol granuloma of the Pentrus apex my self.. My accident. I had a brain MRI for another reason and this is when it was found. Like you it is hard to find a Dr that has heard of this. My Dr sent me to an ent. I don't have any systems that I know of and any I do have I have had fo a couple years.. ring in the ear, headaches sometime, dizziness almost to the point I feel like I can faint and some out of the blue nausea..

      ?There is a support group on Facebook for people with this condition. Cholesterol Granuloma awareness.   The ENT is sending me to see an Neurologist ENT Specialist in Sacramento ca in Jan 2018.. I found that these can be caused from chronic ear infections of which I don't nor have had and or head trama of which I have had 40 years ago. I was in an accident that left me in a coma for 3 1/2 weeks. I had to learn how to walk talk and eat again... ect. 

    • djarvis
      djarvis Belle123

      Posted

      My left pentrus is clear.. Right has a 10mm Cholesterol Granuloma. I am very scared to have surgery... I have a huge fear of nausea and vomiting and i know that after surgery's many people experience this..   

  • debra93041
    debra93041 Belle123

    Posted

    I know this is an older post but curious if the diagnosis of a cholesterol granuloma was confirmed, and how it's been managed since? It was determined I had one a few months ago and I'm now 4weeks post-op, had it drained.

    • djarvis
      djarvis debra93041

      Posted

      Hello, 

      How was yours drained and did they remove the capsule ? I have a 10mm in my right Apex.. I am trying to find what is the best safest and quickest recovery time route.. Can you tell me your post-op experience?  

    • djarvis
      djarvis debra93041

      Posted

      Hi Debra,

      I know this post isn’t recent . I just saw it. I have a cholesterol granuloma in my pentrus apex and see a surgeon feb 13 2018 in SF 

      How was the surgery and postop.. did u have much pain? I am so worried.. my CG is 10mm .. I have had dizziness off and on and heasdaches.. lots of  fatigue  and feeling exhausted many days. I do t sleep well so I’m sure this factors into some of my symptoms.. I am just hoping u can help me to prepare for this surgery and postop. Ty so much.

  • terrie27149
    terrie27149 Belle123

    Posted

    I wonder if that's what dr sees in my ear. I too have Tinnitis, awful vertigo. Lightheaded, slight hearing loss, pressure in left ear,ear fullness..dr. saw a small growth in my ear canal so now I have appt with my ENT..sure sounds what u have..doesn't it??

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