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Acupressure Bead in the Eustachian Tube
Kazunori Igarashi1, Yu Matsumoto1, Akinobu Kakigi1
1Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan.
Journal of Acupuncture and Meridian Studies
|August 16, 2015
Summary
A metallic acupressure bead lodged in the eustachian tube, posing an MRI risk. This case highlights the importance of awareness regarding potential ear intrusions for safer acupressure bead use.
Area of Science:
- Otolaryngology
- Medical Case Reports
Background:
- Auricular acupressure beads are used for therapeutic purposes.
- Middle ear foreign bodies are common, but metallic objects present unique risks.
Observation:
- A metallic object was identified in the eustachian tube during a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan.
- The object was confirmed to be an auricular acupressure bead.
Findings:
- The acupressure bead likely migrated through an existing tympanic membrane perforation.
- Surgical removal via tympanoplasty and canal wall down mastoidectomy was successful.
Implications:
- Metallic acupressure beads pose a significant risk of severe burns during MRI scans.
- Practitioners and patients must be aware of the potential for unnoticed tympanic membrane perforations and subsequent middle ear intrusions.
