Cholesteatomas are benign growths of skin in the middle ear and mastoid. These "skin cysts" can and do cause many problems in the ear. Cholesteatomas commonly cause hearing loss and infections. The only treatment available to cure a cholesteatoma is surgery. The surgery that is typically performed is tympanoplasty with or without mastoidectomy. Cholesteatomas left untreated can go on to cause serious and sometimes life threatening health problems, such as meningitis or brain abscess. Cholesteatomas can develop in both children and adults. Surgery is usually done as day surgery (outpatient).