Semi-Permanent Ear (Aguille SP) Needle "Migration" into the External Auditory Canal

Area of Science:

• Medicine
• Acupuncture Research

Background:

• Auricular acupuncture (AA) is a common therapeutic practice, often used alongside body acupuncture.
• AA is generally considered safe, with rare and typically transient complications like pain, bleeding, tenderness, dizziness, and nausea.
• No prior literature documented cases of Aiguille Semi-Permanente (ASP) needles retained in the external auditory canal (EAC).

Purpose of the Study:

• To report the first documented case of an ASP needle retained within the external auditory canal.
• To raise awareness among practitioners about this rare complication of auricular acupuncture.

Main Methods:

• A patient receiving auricular ASP needles for complex regional pain syndrome reported dizziness and a foreign-body sensation in the ear.
• Otoscopic examination revealed a retained ASP needle at the tympanic membrane.
• The needle was successfully retrieved using a saline flush.

Main Results:

• A gold ASP needle was identified lodged near the tympanic membrane in the external auditory canal.
• The needle was removed without complications, and the tympanic membrane and ear canal were found to be normal post-retrieval.

Conclusions:

• This case represents the first reported instance of an ASP needle lost in the external auditory canal.
• While rare, potential causes include accidental dislodgement during sleep.
• Clinicians should consider examining the EAC in patients experiencing ear-related symptoms post-AA treatment.