[External auditory canal osseous hamartoma: a case report]

Area of Science:

• Otolaryngology
• Pathology
• Radiology

Background:

• Hamartomas are benign growths of mature tissues normally found in a specific body part.
• While common in organs like the liver and lungs, hamartomas of the external auditory canal are exceptionally rare.

Observation:

• An 18-year-old male presented with symptoms of aural fullness.
• Computed tomography (CT) imaging identified a low-density mass in the external auditory canal without evidence of bone erosion.

Findings:

• Pathological examination confirmed the mass to be an osseous hamartoma.
• This represents a rare occurrence of a bone hamartoma within the external auditory canal.

Implications:

• The diagnosis of osseous hamartoma should be considered in the differential diagnosis for external auditory canal masses.
• Awareness of this rare entity aids in accurate diagnosis and appropriate patient management.