Ct results showed 3mm is that tiny

Sorry to hear that. You're no doubt aware that it is a serious but treatable condition. I have had it in both ears as a child. 3mm is quite small but people have still had them removed even when they're smaller than that. They can grow in excess of 1.5cm.

You will need to have it removed or it will grow and potentially erode away your ossicles (hearing bones) and if left too long, it could cause meningitis which can be fatal. 

The procedure to remove it is referred to as a Mastoidectomy. While surgeons can typically remove the cholesteatoma successfuly, the procedure carries risks. In my case, hearing loss and tinnitus are two which I suffer from as a result but if I didn't have the surgery, no doubt the cholesteatoma would have caused both hearing loss & tinnitus anyway and I probably wouldn't be here writing this right now decades later! The benefits of removing the mass far outweigh the cons.

I wish you the best.

Hi Zana,

It's not how big can it get.

It'll be everywhere in your ear if you let it go, meaning everywhere in your middle ear.

If that were it, ok you'll hear very bad, but the problem with cholesteotoma is that it'll eat bone away. Your three hearing bones, connected to your eardrump for example.... in further stages it'll get to your inner ear, it can start eroding the semi circular ear ducts that maintain your balance, it can start eroding your cochlea.

It'll even ear the cranial bone away between your ear and your bain and then the cholesteotoma enters the brain, causing meningitis.

So basically, no matter the size, it's destructive.

For example in my case. my whole middle ear was filled up with cholesteotoma.

Because the Dr wanted to save my hearing bones, he had to be more careful taking everything out and so the surgery took longer.

I would suggest to ask for a pillow to support your head during the surgery.

I was way better prepared for the second surgery I got half a year later in the same ear. I did get pillows under my head, anti nausea patch and different narcotics, because I woke up super nauseated the first time and with a TREMENDOUS headache. The wake up from the second surgery was 1000 times better, hardly nauseated at all, about no headache. Of course ear pain, but it was less, because the surgery to less long. These might be things to think about before surgery.

I beseeched to see the surgery myself, because I was put to sleep the second time.

It was nice, because I could greet everyone in the surgery room and I could scoot myself over to the surgery table, so they don't have to do it.

Do have plenty of vaseline (petrolutum jelly) available when you're home again.

Also have lots of cotton balls available.

Last, but not least, you might wanna ask for ibuprofen 800mg.

They'll normally give you a narcotic pain killer that is strong. But some people get very nauseated taking that. Ibuprofen that all I needed, the first and second surgery.

Also, you might consider waiting at least a week after surgery before showring as your ear is so fragile still, possibly still bleeding some. Give it some time to heal a bit. I would stay away from anti bacterial ointments behind your ear after surgery.

Some people are allergic to it. Put some Vaseline Petroleum Jelly or another brand jelly over it, it's cheap and does a great job. It'll protect the wound and makes sure it remains well hydrated.

Thanks.

Hi Zana.

It's honestly not the size of the ctoma; it's the damage it inflicts. My son lost all of the ossicles and a large portion of the mastoid due to the length of time the ctoma was there. Thankfully, his surgeon is meticulous and got every last bit. He is ctoma free going on 2 years post-op..

My husband was not as lucky; he had 2 surgeries back in the 90s, and still carries an exteriorized ctoma.

Good luck and bravo for seeking information. An informed patient is a strong patient.