H60.4: Cholesteatoma of external ear
The ear consists of 3 sections: the outer ear, the middle ear, and the inner ear. The auricle and the auditory canal are part of the outer ear. The auricle and auditory canal route sound from outside towards the middle ear.
You have an inflammation in your auricle or your auditory canal. When the outer ear is inflamed, the ear may be itchy or sore. One’s hearing may also be worse than usual.
You have a cholesteatoma in your outer ear. The cholesteatoma is also sometimes known as a pearly tumor. The cholesteatoma consists of a growth of skin tissue. Skin tissue can grow when the middle ear is frequently inflamed, for example. A cholesteatoma may also occur when the link between the throat and the middle ear is not working properly. If the cholesteatoma continues to grow, it can attack the surrounding bone and tissue. The cholesteatoma can also result in a discharge from the ear. A plug of skin tissue can also block the auditory canal. The auditory canal can then become inflamed.
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