Best Doctors in India for Cholesteatoma Treatment

Profile Highlights:

  • Dr. Sanjay Sachdeva is a highly experienced ENT specialist currently working at Max Healthcare as the Principal Director of ENT. With over 30 years of practice and surgical experience in ENT and 20 years of teaching, he brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to his field.
  • Dr. Sachdeva completed his medical education at Maulana Azad Medical College in New Delhi, where he earned his MBBS, DCH, and MS (ENT). His commitment to the field is reflected in his active memberships in several prestigious organizations, including the Association of Otolaryngology of India and the Indian Academy of Pediatrics.
  • His specialty interests include cochlear implant surgery, snoring and obstructive sleep apnea surgery, and skull base surgery. Dr. Sachdeva has co-authored international publications on endoscopic sinus surgery and is involved in upcoming global publications on skull base surgery.

Profile Highlights:

  • Dr. (Prof) Ameet Kishore is a renowned ENT and Neurotologic Surgeon with over 25 years of experience in pediatric and adult ENT care.
  • Currently, Dr. Kishore is a Senior Consultant in ENT & Neurotology at Indraprastha Apollo Hospital, New Delhi.
  • He has also served as the Honorary Secretary of the Cochlear Implant Group of India, reflecting his leadership and dedication to advancing the field of ENT and neurotology.

Profile Highlights:

  • Dr. Anish  Gupta is currently working as a ENT specialist with over 15 years of experience at CK Birla Hospital, Gurugram.
  • Dr. Anish Gupta is a distinguished ENT specialist and Head & Neck surgeon based in Gurgaon, renowned for his extensive expertise and dedication in the field.
  • With a wealth of experience spanning both common and complex procedures, Dr. Gupta excels in ontological and rhinological surgeries, laryngeal framework procedures, endoscopic sinus surgery, cochlear implants, thyroidectomy, and the surgical treatment of head and neck tumors.

Profile Highlights:

  • Dr. Aru Chhabra Handa is a famous ENT surgeon practicing in Medanta, Gurugram who is trained in oto-rhino-layrngology. She has expertise in treating pediatric ENT patients.
  • Highly experienced in all kinds of routine and advanced surgeries of the ear, nose, and throat, she is also an expert in rhinoplasty, micro ear surgery, neuro ontological disorders, endoscopic nasal and sinus surgery, as well as phono surgery.
  • Throughout her career of over 23 years, Dr. Aru Chhabra Handa has served in various reputed hospitals in North India. She has also treated several cases related to tonsillitis, epistaxis, pharyngitis, ear infection, voice and speech disorders, and throat cancer.
  • She is known to be among the few ENT specialists in India, specializing in adult as well as pediatric cases. She has also taken up several complex cases in her career before she joined Medanta.
  • Dr. Handa also has around 40 publications in several international and national journals as well as book chapters. She is also known for being a panelist and guest faculty in several CMEs, workshops, and conferences.

Profile Highlights:

  • As the Chairman of the department at Medanta Gurugram, he has been instrumental in shaping and leading the department since its inception in 2009.
  • Dr. K. K. Handa is a distinguished laryngologist, voice surgeon, and cochlear implant surgeon with over 32 years of experience in the field of ENT and Head & Neck Surgery.
  • Before joining Medanta, Dr. Handa served as an Associate Professor in the Department of ENT at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi, where he was a faculty member for 13 years.

Profile Highlights:

  • Dr. Kalpana Nagpal is an ENT/Otorhinolaryngologist in India with extensive expertise. She has nearly three decades of experience in performing Microscopic and Endoscopic Surgeries for sinus infections, sebaceous cysts, epistaxis, tonsillitis, and otoplasty.
  • Presently, Dr. Nagpal is a senior consultant for ENT at Indraprastha Apollo Hospital. She treats patients with congenital ear problems, orbital and optic nerve decompression, and tonsillectomy in both children and adults. Her area of expertise is endoscopic procedures in ENT / Otorhinolaryngologist, tumors of the Head & Neck, Robotic surgeries for snoring disorders, early throat cancers and scarless thyroid surgeries.

Profile Highlights:

  • Dr. Sabir Husain Ansari is a highly esteemed ENT specialist with over 38 years of experience, practicing at Apollo Hospitals Indraprastha in New Delhi.
  • Renowned for his deep expertise in the field of ear, nose, and throat health, Dr. Ansari has dedicated his career to providing comprehensive and compassionate care to his patients.
  • Dr. Ansari’s clinical expertise covers a broad spectrum of ENT conditions, from common issues like sinusitis, tonsillitis, and migraines to more complex cases involving head and neck tumors, congenital ear problems, and nasopharyngeal angiofibroma.

Profile Highlights:

  • Dr. Venkata Karthikeyan is one of the top ENT specialists in Chennai, having an experience of more than 18 years in the field.
  • Dr. Karthikeyan has expertise in treatments such as Laser Surgeries for Head and Neck Lesions, Head and Neck Cancer, Nasal Endoscopy, Cochlear Implants, Skull Base Surgery, Trans Oral Robotic Surgery, Trans Oral Laser Surgery, Neurotology and Skull base surgery, and Transoral Laser Surgery, etc.
  • He has published research papers in reputed national and international peer-reviewed journals.

Profile Highlights:

  • With an illustrious career spanning over 35 years, Dr. Arvind Soni stands out as a highly respected ENT Specialist affiliated with Apollo Hospitals Indraprastha in South Delhi.
  • His extensive experience and profound expertise in the field of Ear, Nose, and Throat (ENT) make him a trusted figure in the medical community.
  • Dr. Soni’s academic foundation is rooted in a robust educational background, holding an MBBS, MS, and DLO.

Profile Highlights:

  • Dr. Ganapathy H is a renowned ENT specialist with an impressive career spanning over 41 years, based at Apollo Hospitals, Greams Road, Chennai.
  • Dr. Ganapathy holds an MBBS, MS (ENT), and DLO, and has further distinguished himself with the prestigious MNAMS degree.
  • Dr. Ganapathy is skilled in performing various procedures, including ear wax removal, nasal endoscopy, tonsillectomy, septoplasty, and tympanoplasty.

Best Hospitals in India for Cholesteatoma Treatment

Hospital Highlights:

  • One of India’s best and largest multi-specialty hospitals, Medanta was built with the aim to bring India to the highest standards of medical care. The hospital has been providing the best medical services to its patients, since its inception, with care, commitment, and compassion.
  • Equipped with 1250 beds, the hospital was founded by Dr. Naresh Trehan in the year 2009 with an aim to provide the best medical care at affordable costs. The hospital is spread across 43 acres and includes 45 operation theatres and 350 beds dedicated solely to ICU. The hospital includes over 800 doctors, and more than 22 specialty departments and has a dedicated floor for individual specialty in order to offer the best services under one roof.
  • The hospital is considered one of the premier institutes in India for Cardiac Care and includes staffs and members of high caliber. The hospital has 6 distinct centers of excellence.

Hospital Highlights:

  • Artemis Hospital, established in 2007 in Gurugram, India, is a leading multi-specialty institution known for its excellence in patient care and advanced medical technology, offering comprehensive services across specialties like Cardiology, Oncology, Neurology, Orthopedics etc.
  • Renowned for its patient-focused care, Artemis Hospital combines state-of-the-art infrastructure with a team of internationally trained doctors and surgeons, ensuring the highest standards of medical treatment.
  • Accredited by JCI and NABH, Artemis Hospital meets global healthcare quality and safety standards, reflecting its commitment to providing compassionate, personalized care.
  • The hospital is recognized for utilizing cutting-edge diagnostic and ther*peutic techniques, ensuring patients receive accurate diagnoses and effective treatments tailored to their needs.

Hospital Highlights:

  • The Apollo Proton Cancer Centre in Chennai is the most sought-after private cancer hospital in India. It is an integrated facility that provides cutting-edge, all inclusive cancer treatment to patients all over the globe.
  • The hospital is a part of the renowned Apollo Group which has a large network of over 74 hospitals in India and across the globe. Out of the 74 hospitals, 21 of them are cancer centres. However, Apollo Proton Cancer Centre is the only cancer hospital to have JCI accreditation.
  • The Centre, which was established on the principles of excellence and expertise, unites a formidable medical staff led by some of the most illustrious figures in cancer treatment.
  • The hospital follows the global ASTRO Model Policy. It is the same global policy which is followed by countries like USA, UK, and Europe.
  • Apollo Proton Cancer Centre is among the very few hospitals in India to receive patients from First World countries such as USA, Canada, New Zealand, Australia, Singapore, Thailand, etc.
  • Apart from that, it is also the first hospital in Chennai to receive patients from several countries like Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan, Georgia, Armenia, Azerbaijan, SAARC countries (Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Maldives, Bhutan, Afghanistan, and Pakistan), South Africa, Turkey, Egypt, etc.
  • In fact, there is a dedicated team at the Apollo Proton Cancer Centre that serves only international patients. Thus, on a monthly basis, the Centre receives patients from across 32 countries.
  • Moreover, there are certain treatments in Apollo Proton Cancer Centre that are not available in any other centre. APCC addresses all types of possible cancers that are usually not covered by any other centre.

Hospital Highlights:

  • Over the last 33 years, the Fortis Escorts Heart Institute has set new standards in cardiac treatment with groundbreaking research. It is now known around the world as a centre of expertise for Cardiac Bypass Surgery, Interventional Cardiology, Non-invasive Cardiology, Paediatric Cardiology, and Paediatric Cardiac Surgery.
  • The hospital has cutting-edge laboratories that perform a wide range of diagnostic tests in Nuclear Medicine, Radiology, Biochemistry, Haematology, Transfusion Medicine, and Microbiology.
  • Fortis Escorts Heart Institute boasts a diverse group of bright and experienced doctors who are backed up by a team of highly qualified, experienced, and devoted support professionals as well as cutting-edge equipment such as the recently installed Dual CT Scan.
  • Approximately 200 cardiac doctors and 1600 personnel currently collaborate to manage over 14,500 admissions and 7,200 emergency situations each year. The hospital now has a 310-bed infrastructure, as well as five cath labs and a slew of other world-class amenities.

Hospital Highlights:

  • Fortis Memorial Research Institute (FMRI) is a premier multi-super-specialty, quaternary care hospital, known for its exceptional international faculty, top-tier clinicians, super-sub-specialists, and specialized nurses, all supported by cutting-edge technology.
  • It is the flaship hospital of Fortis Healthcare Limited, part of IHH Healthcare Berhad, a leading integrated healthcare services provider in India. As one of the country’s largest healthcare organizations, Fortis operates 28 healthcare facilities with over 4,500 operational beds (including O&M facilities) and more than 400 diagnostic centers (including joint ventures).
  • Recognized as one of the top hospitals in India, FMRI serves as a leading referral center and aspires to be the ‘Mecca of Healthcare’ for India and beyond. Its 11-acre campus is a testament to its commitment to providing world-class healthcare.
  • Accredited by JCI and NABH, FMRI is dedicated to maintaining the highest standards of healthcare quality and safety, ensuring that every patient receives the best possible care. The hospital’s reputation is further enhanced by its state-of-the-art facilities and innovative medical practices.

Hospital Highlights:

  • The Indian Spinal Injuries Center (ISIC), provides state-of-the-art facilities for the management of all types of spinal ailments.
  • Staffed with internationally trained, acclaimed, and dedicated spine surgeons, the hospital provides cutting-edge medical & surgical technology. The hospital provides comprehensive management of spinal injury, back pain, spinal deformities, tumors, osteoporosis, etc.
  • The hospital performs motion-preserving spine surgeries including disc replacement and dynamic fixation, and minimally invasive spine surgeries such as endoscopic disc excision.
  • The orthopedic service of the hospital covers all orthopedic ailments including trauma, joint diseases & replacements, oncology, pediatric orthopedics & upper limb ailment.

Hospital Highlights:

In the sprawling city of Faridabad, where healthcare needs are diverse and ever-evolving, one institution has consistently stood out as a beacon of excellence in the field of medicine—Marengo Asia Hospital. Established with a vision to provide world-class healthcare services to the community it serves, Marengo Asia Hospital has emerged as a trusted name synonymous with quality, compassion, and innovation in healthcare.

Hospital Highlights:

  • Indraprastha Apollo Hospital is a 700-bedded multispecialty hospital in the heart of the capital of India. It is a part of Apollo Hospital group, one of India’s most reputed healthcare chains. Indraprastha Apollo Hospital has been accredited by Joint Commission International, making it the first internationally accredited hospital in the country in 2005.
  • There are 52 specialties in the hospital with one of the best cardiology centers in the country. The hospital is also equipped with State of the art infrastructure facilities with the largest Sleep Lab in Asia and the largest number of ICU bed facilities in India.
  • The latest and highly advanced technologies that are installed in the hospital include Da Vinci Robotic Surgery System, PET-MR, PET-CT, Cobalt-based HDR, Brain Lab Navigation System, Tilting MRI, Portable CT scanner, 3 Tesla MRI, 128 Slice CT scanner, DSA Lab, Endosonography, Hyperbaric Chamber and Fibro scan.

Hospital Highlights:

  • One of the well-regarded providers in India committed to the highest standards of clinical excellence and patient care, Max Super Specialty Hospital is a part of Max Healthcare, which is the second-largest healthcare chain in India. Regarded as one of the most well-regarded healthcare providers in the country, Max Super Specialty Hospital is committed to the highest standards of clinical excellence as well as patient care. The hospital is also equipped with the latest technology as well as cutting-edge research. The hospital is known to deliver and ensure the highest level of patient care.
  • The hospital has more than 500 beds and offers treatment for over 35 specialties. The hospital also holds the credit of having installed the first Brain Suite in Asia. This is a highly advanced Neurosurgical machine that allows MRI to be taken while surgery is ongoing.
  • Other advanced and latest technologies are also installed in the hospital such as the 1.5 Tesla MRI machine, 64 Slice CT Angiography, 4D ECHO, LINAC, and 3.5T MRI machine.

Hospital Highlights:

  • Founded in 2017, the HCG EKO Cancer Centre is a committed, all-inclusive cancer care facility in Kolkata.
  • The hospital was collaboratively established by India’s leading cancer care provider HCG (HealthCare Global Enterprises Ltd.), and EKO Diagnostic Pvt. Ltd., a top diagnostic and imaging chain in Eastern India.
  • With 88 beds, the hospital provides a full spectrum of services including diagnosis, prevention, screening, second opinions, treatment, rehabilitation, follow-up, and palliative care.
  • Additionally, the hospital contains a day-care chemotherapy ward, Neutropenic ward, medical ICU, pharmacy, blood bank, and an IPD wing.
  • At HCG EKO Cancer Centre Kolkata, a large team of cancer experts with experience in medical oncology, surgical oncology, radiation oncology, hemato oncology, BMT, and nuclear medicine collaborate to offer a variety of treatment options under one roof.
  • Furthermore, the hospital is also known for employing the most advanced radiation technology such as, the Radixact, a next-generation TomoTherapy equipment that provides greater radiation delivery precision.

CHOLESTEATOMA

Cholesteatoma is a condition in which an abnormal, noncancerous skin growth occurs in the middle ear, behind the eardrum. It continues to grow in size, and therefore if left untreated, it might lead to hearing loss. The condition may be a birth defect, although it is also generally caused by repeated middle ear infections.

This condition also often develops as a cyst, or sac, that sheds layers of its old skin. When these dead skin cells accumulate, the growth can increase in size and destroy the delicate bones of the middle ear. This might affect the hearing, balance as well as function of the facial muscles.

Symptoms

Generally, a cholesteatoma causes symptoms only in a single ear. The signs can include any of the following:

  • Constant sound inside your ear
  • Ear infection
  • Pain in the ear
  • Dizziness or vertigo
  • A feeling of fullness in one ear
  • A fluid that smells bad and leaks from the ears
  • Weakness in half of the face
  • Trouble hearing in one ear

 

If you’ve suffered from a cholesteatoma for a long time and haven’t treated it, it might grow into other areas of your ear, like the part used for balance. It may even turn into an infection in your inner ear or even in the brain. This can lead to a pus-filled swelling in your brain or meningitis. Both are rare.

Causes

A cholesteatoma might occur due to multiple reasons:

  • Cholesteatomas are generally caused by repeated middle-ear infections. If left untreated, infections from a long-established cholesteatoma might spread to the inner ear and the brain.
  • Perforation of the eardrum, which can be caused by a trauma or an infection, might provide an opening for the skin of the outer surface of the eardrum, to grow through.
  • Chronic ear infections, sinus infections, allergies, and colds might affect the Eustachian tube i.e. the tube connecting the back of your nose to your middle ear. This can keep it from equalizing air pressure on either side of your eardrum. This might cause a partial vacuum in your middle ear that may pull a section of your eardrum into it. This eardrum tissue can thus, turn into a cholesteatoma.
  • Although rare, some people can also be born with a small remnant of skin that is trapped in the middle ear.
  • As it grows larger, the cholesteatoma gets filled with sloughed-off skin cells, fluids, along with other wastes. This creates an ideal environment for infection. The growing cyst also increases pressure in your ear, which may lead to hearing loss. If it grows very large, it can destroy the surrounding bone, thus damaging the eardrum, and the bones inside your ear and near your brain, as well as your facial nerves. At this stage, it is possible that permanent hearing loss may occur.

Diagnosis

Your doctor is going to need to look inside your ear with an otoscope. This instrument has a magnifying glass with a light on it. This also tests how well you are able to hear sounds to check if your cholesteatoma has affected your hearing.

If your doctor thinks that you are having a cholesteatoma, then they are going to refer you to an ear, nose, or throat specialist. In order to look more closely at your cholesteatoma, your doctor will likely recommend the following tests:

CT Scan or Computerized Tomography

This is a series of X-ray images that are able to show a detailed image of the bones, soft tissues as well as blood vessels inside your ears. This test can let your doctor known if your cholesteatoma has grown into the bones of your ear, which may mess with your hearing and balance. Your doctor might want to do this scan if surgery is a better option for you.

MRI or Magnetic Resonance Imaging

If a CT scan is able to show your doctor something that requires a closer look, then an MRI is used if your doctor suspects an infection has spread to the brain.

Treatment

Surgery

Although there is no medicine that can make cholesteatoma go away, it is possible to remove it surgically. Surgery generally doesn’t require more than 2 to 3 hours, and you won’t need to stay in a hospital.

You’ll also receive medicine to make you sleep, and the removal can be done in either of two ways:

Mastoidectomy

The bone behind your ear is known as the mastoid. In this method, your surgeon is going to open up this bone to remove the cyst.

Tympanoplasty

This can fix damage to your eardrum or the tympanic membrane. Your surgeon is going to use cartilage or muscle from another part of your ear for filling any holes in your eardrum.

Surgery also often helps with your hearing loss partially.

Cholesteatomas can sometimes be aggressive. They may return if not fully removed. It is therefore very important to see your doctor for regular follow-up visits.

Complications

If left untreated, a cholesteatoma is going to grow larger and cause complications. Complications can range from mild to severe.

The dead skin cells accumulating in the ear help in providing an ideal environment for bacteria as well as fungi to thrive. This means that the cyst can become infected, and thus cause inflammation as well as continual ear drainage.

Over time, this condition may also destroy the surrounding bone. It might cause damage to the eardrum, the bones inside the ear, the bones near the brain, as well as the nerves of the face. Permanent hearing loss might also occur if the bones within the ear are broken.

This cyst might even spread into the face if it continues to grow and this can lead to facial weakness.

Some other potential complications include:

  • Swelling of the inner ear
  • Paralysis of the facial muscles
  • Chronic infection of the ear·
  • Meningitis, which is a life-threatening brain infection
  • Brain abscesses, or pus collecting in the brain

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