A rare case of external ear canal stenosis caused by COVID-19-related arterial thrombosis

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Makoto Hosoya1, Ayumi Minami1, Takanori Nishiyama1

  • 1Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan.

Ear, Nose, & Throat Journal
|June 3, 2022
PubMed

Insights

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) can cause arterial thrombosis, leading to external ear stenosis. This case report details a patient who developed ear canal stenosis due to thrombosis following COVID-19 infection.

Area of Science:

  • Otolaryngology
  • Vascular Medicine
  • Infectious Diseases

Background:

  • Thrombosis is a known complication of COVID-19.
  • Otological symptoms, including hearing loss, tinnitus, and ear fullness, have been reported in COVID-19 patients.

Observation:

  • A 62-year-old man presented with left hearing loss, ear fullness, and tinnitus.
  • The patient had a history of COVID-19 hospitalization 11 months prior.
  • Physical examination revealed severe left external ear canal stenosis with a subcutaneous mass.

Findings:

  • Histopathological analysis confirmed subcutaneous thrombosis as the cause of external ear canal stenosis.
  • Arterial thrombosis in the temporal bone region was identified post-COVID-19 treatment.
  • This case represents the first report of external ear stenosis linked to COVID-19.

Implications:

  • COVID-19 can affect various body sites, including the external ear canal, through thrombotic events.
  • This finding may help explain diverse otological manifestations of COVID-19.
  • Understanding COVID-19-related thrombosis is crucial for managing its long-term complications.

Keywords:
COVID-19external auditory canalexternal earotology

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