Foreign body in ear canal

Introduction Foreign body in the ear canal refers to an injurious disease caused by foreign matter inadvertently entering the external auditory canal. Foreign bodies in the external auditory canal are more common in children. Adults are mostly left behind when they are ear-cut or traumatized. Also seen in the invasion of insects. There are three types of foreign bodies: non-biological, such as stones, small toys, etc.; plants, such as beans, seeds, etc.; animals, such as flying insects, cockroaches, etc.

Cause

Cause:

(1) Non-living foreign bodies enter the external auditory canal

It is common for children to stuff various small objects such as beans, small beads, and sticks into the external auditory canal. Adults can be traumatic, shrapnel, dirt, wooden blocks, etc.

(2) iatrogenic

In the treatment of ear disease, cotton and small gauze are mistakenly placed in the external auditory canal.

(3) Biological foreign bodies

For example, insects in summer can climb into or fly into the external auditory canal to form foreign bodies.

an examination

Related inspection

Otolaryngology CT examination otoscopy

Clinical manifestations and diagnostic points:

(1) Small and non-irritating, there is no self-consciousness of foreign bodies that are not in the tympanic membrane.

(2) Large foreign objects can cause hearing impairment, tinnitus, earache, reflex cough, etc. Dizziness can occur when the tympanic membrane is touched.

(3) The entry of sharp foreign matter can cause unbearable pain, tinnitus, and even damage to the tympanic membrane and bleeding.

Differential diagnosis

Differential diagnosis of foreign bodies in the ear canal:

Occlusion of the ear canal: Occlusion of the ear canal is a disease caused by obstruction of the ear canal. It is commonly known as earwax and deafness, which is the normal secretion of the ear canal. It can be self-extracted without clogging and causing symptoms. If it condenses into nucleus and blocks the ear canal, it will become a sputum, which is also known as sputum embolism.

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