Recently Answered Questions
All the answers published in this website are written by verified medical doctors, therapists and health experts. The Content has been moderated by iCliniq medical review team before publication. Post your medical clarifications on iCliniq by choosing the right specialty and get them answered. Your medical queries will be answered 24/7 by top doctors from iCliniq.
If I get facial nerve damage during mastoidectomy, is there a chance of repair?
Query: Hello doctor, I am about to undergo a mastoidectomy next month, due to long term cholesteatoma (over five years). The surgery will entail removing a large amount of the mastoid bone. Of course, with this surgery comes the risk of damage through an incision of the facial nerve. This worries me a lot... Read Full »
Dr. Syed Peerzada Tehmid Ul Haque
Answer: Hello, Welcome to icliniq.com. The risk of facial nerve injury even in revision mastoid surgeries is less than 10 %. However, if there is cholesteatoma sitting on the facial nerve or facial canal is dehiscent, there is more susceptibility to FN (facial nerve) damage. Is there any prior facial weakne... Read Full »
Query: Hello doctor,I have been experiencing persistent symptoms for a few weeks now. Upon using a camera to examine my ear, I noticed structures that appear similar to pearls. Given my medical history, I had cholesteatoma as a child, for which I underwent surgical removal. It appears that these symptoms m... Read Full »
Answer: Hello, Welcome to icliniq.com. Thank you for your query. I have reviewed your medical history of cholesteatoma surgery. There is a possibility of recurrence, given the nature of this condition. To provide you with the most accurate advice, could you please provide more details about your current... Read Full »
Can cotton balls after cholesteatoma surgery be removed?
Query: Hello doctor, Generally, in cholesteatoma surgery, surgeons put a cotton ball in the eustachian orifice area while exploring the middle ear. It is usually taken out before packing the ear. However, in my case, the surgeon did not take the cotton ball out even after the procedure. As a result, I have... Read Full »
Answer: Hello, Welcome to icliniq.com. I agree that a cotton plug is put in while exploring the middle ear, but it will be removed after the procedure. In your case, how did you get to know there is a cotton plug in the eustachian tube? Also, recurrent cholesteatoma might occur due to inadequate clearance d... Read Full »
Can lymphoplasty cure my persisting ear infection?
Query: Hi doctor, I am hoping to get a second opinion about my ear perforation. A few months back, I was swimming, and a wave sent me underneath the water, and it perforated my eardrum. After a few days, I had an ear infection and took some antibiotics, which cleared it up after a few days of pain. Since t... Read Full »
Dr. Syed Peerzada Tehmid Ul Haque
Answer: Hello, Welcome to icliniq.com. I read your query and understand your concerns. Given your history and the location of the perforation, the perforation seems to be a safe one. However, commenting on a picture taken through a video scope or otoscope is difficult. If there is a doubt about the true nat... Read Full »
I have an ear infection with pain and discharge. Why?
Query: Hello doctor, I have had an ear infection (right ear) for the last several months, including fullness, pain in and behind the ear, and foul-smelling discharge. Recently I completed the 10 days dose of Ciprodex drops, and the discharge has cleared, but fullness and pain have not reduced. Recent hear... Read Full »
Answer: Hi, Welcome to icliniq.com. I have seen the CT report. (attachment removed to protect patient identity). There is a residual soft tissue density in your right middle ear, likely granulation tissue. Additionally, there is right mastoid effusion, meaning air cells in the mastoid bone filled with f... Read Full »
What causes ear infections and hearing difficulties?
Query: Hello doctor, One of my close ones has had an ear infection for more than 15 years. He underwent surgery for the same, which involved clearing the infected bone from the back of the ear, and was advised to get a device or an implant which I am not sure of, to aid hearing, but he failed to follow up... Read Full »
Dr. Bhadragiri Vageesh Padiyar
Answer: Hi, Welcome to icliniq.com. I read your query and can understand your concern. The possible reason for these symptoms is a bone-eating disease called cholesteatoma, in which the ear bones get eroded and infected with a discharge, hence having an unpleasant odor and can leave blood stains. When detec... Read Full »
Are there any options to undergo ear wax removal post-cholesteatoma surgery without pain?
Query: Hello doctor, I underwent a cholesteatoma removal surgery in my right inner and middle ear, extending to my brain dura 10 years ago. A part of the mastoid was removed to help the skin debris shed naturally, and I have been free of cholesteatoma since then. I have a six-month follow-up with my ENT sp... Read Full »
Answer: Hello, Welcome to icliniq.com. I have read your query and understand it. You seem to have had a canal wall down surgery (surgery to remove cholesteatoma, which is an abnormal ear growth or ear cyst behind the eardrum). The mastoid bowl (a cavity formed after the surgery due to removal of the mastoid... Read Full »
Why do I have white, foul-smelling ear discharge since childhood?
Query: Hi doctor,I have an ear discharge from childhood. I have a white liquid coming out often with a bad smell. I cannot hear clearly. It is present in my left ear. Sometimes, I have itchiness. Please help. Read Full »
Dr. Bhadragiri Vageesh Padiyar
Answer: Hi, Welcome to icliniq.com. You have an ear discharge with a foul smell from childhood. You need to do HRCT (high resolution computed tomography) of the temporal bone to rule out cholesteatoma. For now, you can take the following treatment. You can take a tablet containing Ciplox 500 mg (Ciprofloxac... Read Full »