Cholesteatoma is a potential complication of which condition?

• A. False
• B. True
• C. Only with trauma
• D. Not possible

Answer: (B)

Cholesteatoma arises as a complication of chronic middle-ear disease, most commonly chronic otitis media with tympanic membrane dysfunction. Ongoing negative pressure in the middle ear can cause a retraction pocket to form in the tympanic membrane, particularly in the pars flaccida. This pocket traps keratin debris, leading to the development of a keratin-filled cyst. As it enlarges, the cholesteatoma can erode surrounding structures such as the ossicles and mastoid bone, producing conductive hearing loss and posing risks for more serious complications like facial nerve involvement or intracranial spread if untreated.

This is not typically a result of trauma alone, and it is a recognized potential complication of chronic otitis media, making the statement true.