A surprising finding after external ear polypectomy in a deaf mute patient

Area of Science:

• Otolaryngology
• Pathology

Background:

• External auditory canal polyps often stem from inflammatory processes.
• Rarely, these polyps may signify serious conditions requiring immediate medical attention.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the etiology of external auditory canal polyps, particularly those resistant to medical treatment.
• To highlight the importance of considering foreign bodies as a cause of aural polyps.

Main Methods:

• Case report of a 19-year-old female with persistent left ear discharge and an aural mass.
• Surgical intervention and histopathological examination to determine the cause of the polyp.
• Review of literature regarding differential diagnoses for aural polyps.

Main Results:

• The aural polyp was found to be caused by a neglected foreign body.
• The tympanic membrane remained intact despite the presence of the foreign body and polyp.
• The patient's condition required surgical removal of the foreign body.

Conclusions:

• Aural polyps resistant to medical treatment warrant suspicion of underlying chronic suppurative otitis media or a foreign body.
• Neoplastic and immunological causes, though rarer, should also be considered in the differential diagnosis.
• Prompt surgical evaluation is crucial for persistent or complex cases of external auditory canal polyps.