Related Experiment Video
Updated: Dec 6, 2025

Surgical Treatment of an Endolymphatic Sac Tumor
Published on: May 26, 2023
Clinical Characteristics of Patients With Papilloma in the External Auditory Canal
Wenwei Luo1,2,3, Jingfang Wu1,2,3, Kevin A Peng4
1ENT institute and Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Eye & ENT Hospital, State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200031, China.
Objectives:
To determine the clinical characteristics of papilloma involving the external auditory canal (PEAC) in a region of China.
Study Design:
A retrospective study.
Methods:
Demographics, manifestations, imaging results, histopathology, and treatment of 67 patients diagnosed with PEAC in a period of 6 years were analyzed at Shanghai Eye, Ear, Nose and Throat Hospital in China.
Results:
PEAC were encountered in patients between the ages of 12 and 82 years (mean 53.8 years). It was more prevalent in men (82%) than in women (18%) (P < .05). The clinical presentation was usually a mass in EAC, aural fullness, and hearing loss. Otoscopic and radiological examination were used together for initial diagnosis and pretreatment planning. Unilateral involvement was more common than bilateral involvement (P < .05). The average time between onset of first symptom and surgical resection and/or biopsy was 6.5 months (range, 0.25-60 months). All patients underwent gross total resection. In 5 patients, (7.5%) carcinoma was detected in the specimen. Fifteen patients (22%) had recurrence; recurrent tumors were detected after an average period of 10 months after surgery (range, 4-24 months).
Conclusion:
PEAC is largely a benign lesion with a low risk of malignancy. Optimal management is via gross total resection. However, the risk of recurrence is high, which motivates a need for long-term monitoring.
Level Of Evidence:
4 Laryngoscope, 131:1132-1137, 2021.
Related Concept Videos
Anatomy of the Ear
Auditory Pathway
When viewed cross-sectionally, the cochlea reveals the scala vestibuli and scala tympani flanking...
The Cochlea
Hearing
Hair Cells
Assessment of the Mouth
Mouth Inspection
The inspection begins with visually examining the mouth for symmetry, color, and size.

