discharging from a defect in the tympanic membrane. The posterior and superior parts of the tympanic membrane are most commonly affected. If the cholesteatoma has been dry, the cholesteatoma may present the appearance of 'wax over the attic'. The attic is just above the eardrum.

If untreated, a cholesteatoma can eat or cause erosion of the three small bones located in the middle ear (the malleus, incus and stapes,