What is the medical term for a benign tumor in the attic of the middle ear that can penetrate the eardrum and causes a constant odorous discharge?

A cholesteatoma is a specific type of benign tumor that typically forms in the attic of the middle ear. It can result from an abnormal skin growth that occurs in the ear, often due to recurrent ear infections or eustachian tube dysfunction. This condition can penetrate the eardrum, leading to various complications, one of which is a constant odorous discharge from the ear. The presence of this discharge, along with the tumor's location and characteristics, makes the cholesteatoma distinct in its impact on ear health.

In contrast, tinnitus refers to the perception of noise or ringing in the ears, which does not encompass the characteristics of a tumor or any associated discharge. Myringoplasty and myringotomy are procedures related to the eardrum; myringoplasty is a surgical repair of the eardrum, while myringotomy is an incision made in the eardrum to relieve pressure or drain fluid, but neither addresses the formation of a benign tumor or the resulting discharge seen with a cholesteatoma.