Postinflammatory acquired atresia of the external auditory canal

Seventeen cases of postinflammatory acquired artresia of the external auditory canal in 14 women are described and analysed. Fourteen of these cases were solid atresias in which the auditory canal was more or less filled with fibrous tissue. Three patients had partial membranous atresia. The aetiology was external otitis and/or chronic otitis media. The formation of atresia is usually by jerks, and its steps are as follows: External otitis with destruction of the epithelium, formation of granulations, fibrosing of the granulations, and lining with new meatal skin.