Family Nurse Practitioner Exam

Which of the following is a possible complication of untreated cholesteatoma?

1. Hearing loss

2. Severe pain

3. Ear infections

4. All of the above

The correct answer is: All of the above

Untreated cholesteatoma can lead to a variety of complications, which makes the choice highlighting all possible complications the most accurate. Hearing loss occurs because cholesteatomas can disrupt the normal functioning of the middle ear and the structures involved in hearing. The growths may damage the ossicles, which are the small bones that transmit sound, leading to conductive hearing loss. If the cholesteatoma progresses, it can also affect the inner ear, potentially leading to sensorineural hearing loss. Severe pain can be a manifestation of complications (although not always present initially), as the presence of cholesteatoma can lead to infection or result in damage to surrounding tissues. This can induce significant discomfort or pain resulting from inflammation or pressure effects. Ear infections are very common in the context of cholesteatoma. As the growth can create an environment prone to infection—due to its ability to trap debris and bacteria—recurrent or persistent ear infections may occur as a complication. Given the relationship between cholesteatoma and these potential health issues, the correct answer encompasses the full scope of complications that can arise from untreated cholesteatoma.