Cholesteatoma in a rural setting ? The Nizamabad experience

Cholesteatoma is a disease of the middle ear characterized by the presence of squamous epithelium in the middle ear cleft. By secreting chemical enzymes, it causes manifestations by bone erosion which is dangerous to the surrounding structures which are intracranial and extra cranial. Due to advent of antibiotics and early diagnosis of ear disease, cholesteatoma is becoming infrequent. Previously commonly seen complications of cholesteatoma like mastoid abscess, automastoidectomy and sigmoid sinus abscess and granulations are rarely seen nowadays. A retrospective study of cases of ear discharge with cholesteatoma presented to Government Medical College/Government General Hospital, Nizamabad, Telangana, during the period of May 2013 to June 2015 was done. The experience was being presented in this study. 42 cases of cholesteatoma presenting with these features were recorded. Chronicity of the disease with varied presentations seen rarely and the prevalence of the disease in poor socioeconomic families who had no access to medical facilities and ignorance of the severity of the disease is the main factor for seeing the rare presentations not seen in other centres. Inaccessibility to medical facilities and lack of expert treatment was the reason for patients seeking medical attention with conditions due to chronicity which are rarely seen nowadays.