Audiology/Otolaryngology/Cholesteatoma and CAT scan

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Expert: Harriet B Jacobster, Au.D. - 6/28/2009


Question
My daughter has had 2 sets of tubes and 2 sets of "T" tubes due to severely retracted ear drums and multiple ear infections.  She is now ten.  Our ENT now believes he sees a Cholesteatoma in her left ear.  He has ordered a CAT scan of the temporal bone and we will discuss surgery after this.  We think the underlying problem is mal-formed Eustachian tubes.  How successful is corrective surgery on the ET's?  I have heard of people with multiple surgeries with little effect?

Answer
Hi Brad,

There are too many factors involved in surgery to determine success and this is something that needs to be addressed with your surgeon. The best advice I can give you is to seek out a second opinion and ultimately find a surgeon who has performed many of these type surgeries as surgeon skill is key in a successful surgery. The surgery itself is fairly new so it is important to get someone familiar with it.

However, if your daughter has a malformed ET which is the source of constant middle ear infections and consequent cholesteatomas, surgery may be the best treatment option.

Hope this helps.
Dr. Harriet B. Jacobster, AuD
Board Certified in Audiology

Audiology/Otolaryngology

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Harriet B Jacobster, Au.D.

Expertise

I am a Board Certified Doctor of Audiology with 25 years of experience. I can answer questions regarding hearing loss, both general and specific, dizziness and vertigo, auditory processing disorders, hearing aids, aural rehabilitation as well as specialized audiologic testing, i.e., Auditory Brainstem Response, VideoNystagmography, Otoacoutic Emissions. I have worked with both pediatric and adult populations. Because of my extensive musical background, I am able to respond to questions regarding the special needs of musicians.

Experience

I have been an audiologist for over 25 years with a specialty in electrophysiology of the auditory and vestibular systems and pediatric evaluations. I currently work in my private consulting practice providing services to nursing homes and schools. My Doctoral research was on specialized techniques in Auditory Brainstem Responses.

Organizations
American Academy of Audiology, - American Speech Language Hearing Association, - Hearing Loss Association of America

Education/Credentials
Au.D. (Doctor of Audiology), Nova Southeastern University, 2000. Board Certified Doctor of Audiology (American Board of Audiology) Certificate in Audiology from the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association

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