What is an important characteristic of cholesteatoma?

Cholesteatoma is an abnormal skin growth that can develop in the middle ear and mastoid process, often as a result of recurrent ear infections. One of the significant characteristics of cholesteatoma is the production of foul-smelling discharge. This occurs due to the accumulation of skin cells and bacteria within the ear, which can become infected. The discharge is often described as having a distinct, unpleasant odor, setting it apart from other ear conditions where discharge may not exhibit this characteristic.

In contrast, while cholesteatomas can be benign in nature, they can lead to severe complications such as hearing loss or even permanent deafness if left untreated, but this does not inherently describe the characteristic of cholesteatoma itself as accurately as the odor. Treatment typically involves surgical intervention rather than antibiotics, as the growth is not caused by a bacterial infection that antibiotics would target. Thus, the characteristic of foul-smelling discharge is a key clinical feature indicative of cholesteatoma.