Not 'just' a foreign body in the ear canal

Niall Woodley*, Mohd Afiq Mohd Slim, Theofano Tikka, Richard Robert Locke

*Corresponding author for this work

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

    6 Citations (Scopus)

    Abstract

    Foreign bodies are commonly seen by the Ear, Nose and Throat emergency team with cotton wool being the most common aural foreign body seen in the adult population. Most complications secondary to aural foreign bodies described in the literature are minor and rarely require any surgical intervention. Here, we present two cases with impacted cotton wool as aural foreign bodies which resulted in suppurative labyrinthitis and osteomyelitis causing profound sensorineural hearing. These cases highlight the importance of considering aural foreign bodies in the differential diagnosis in those presenting with unilateral symptoms as significant complications, although rare, can occur, particularly in those with delayed diagnosis.

    Original languageEnglish
    Article numbere229302
    JournalBMJ Case Reports
    Volume12
    Issue number4
    DOIs
    Publication statusPublished - 29 Apr 2019

    Keywords

    • ear, nose and throat/otolaryngology
    • emergency medicine
    • general practice/family medicine
    • otolaryngology / ENT

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