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Not 'just' a foreign body in the ear canal
Niall Woodley1, Mohd Afiq Mohd Slim1, Theofano Tikka1
1Otorhinolaryngology Department, Queen Elizabeth University Hospital, Glasgow, UK.
BMJ Case Reports
|May 1, 2019
Summary
Impacted cotton wool in the ear, though usually minor, can lead to severe complications like hearing loss. Prompt diagnosis of aural foreign bodies is crucial to prevent serious outcomes.
Area of Science:
- Otolaryngology
- Emergency Medicine
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- Aural foreign bodies are common in Ear, Nose, and Throat (ENT) emergencies, with cotton wool being most frequent in adults.
- Complications from aural foreign bodies are typically minor and seldom necessitate surgery.
Observation:
- Two cases of impacted cotton wool aural foreign bodies are presented.
- These cases led to severe complications: suppurative labyrinthitis and osteomyelitis.
Findings:
- The complications resulted in profound sensorineural hearing loss.
- Delayed diagnosis of aural foreign bodies can lead to significant, albeit rare, adverse events.
Implications:
- Highlights the importance of including aural foreign bodies in the differential diagnosis for unilateral symptoms.
- Underscores the need for timely evaluation and management of ear foreign bodies to prevent severe sequelae.
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