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Keratoacanthoma in the External Auditory Canal.
Javier Ash1, Raju Limbu2, Victoria Alexander2
1General Surgery, Princess Alexandra Hospital, Harlow, GBR.
Cureus
|September 13, 2021
Summary
A rare keratoacanthoma case in the external ear canal (EAC) was identified. Frequent earbud use and trauma may be a risk factor for this condition.
Area of Science:
- Otolaryngology
- Dermatology
- Oncology
Background:
- Keratoacanthoma is a common skin tumor, typically affecting sun-exposed areas.
- External ear canal (EAC) involvement by keratoacanthoma is exceptionally rare.
- Diagnosis often requires differentiation from squamous cell carcinoma.
Observation:
- A 63-year-old male presented with chronic ear discharge, pain, and hearing loss.
- Extensive investigations were performed before diagnosis.
- Keratoacanthoma was identified within the external ear canal.
Findings:
- This is the first reported case of keratoacanthoma originating in the EAC.
- Frequent earbud use and associated chronic trauma were identified as potential risk factors.
- Histological differentiation from squamous cell carcinoma is crucial for management.
Implications:
- Highlights the importance of considering keratoacanthoma in the differential diagnosis of EAC lesions.
- Suggests a potential link between chronic earbud use and EAC keratoacanthoma development.
- Emphasizes the need for careful histological examination and multidisciplinary team (MDT) input for accurate diagnosis and treatment planning.
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