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

Auricular acupuncture (AA) is commonly used by acupuncturists as stand-alone therapy or as an adjunctive to body acupuncture. AA is considered to be safe, with rare complications. The most commonly reported complications are usually transient and include: pain at insertion; minor bleeding; local tenderness; dizziness; and nausea. No reported cases of an Aiguille Semi-Permanente^® (ASP^®) needle retained in the external auditory canal (EAC) has been found in the medical literature.

As part of a treatment for complex regional pain syndrome, auricular ASP needles were placed. When the patient returned 6 weeks later for continued treatment, he reported feeling slightly dizzy at times and that he had a sensation that something might be in his ear canal.

This patient appeared to be in his usual good health with normal vital signs. The external ear had no visible ASP needles. An otoscopic examination revealed a yellow reflection from the base of the tympanic membrane (TM), and a gold ASP needle was identified. It was recovered with a normal saline flush of the canal. The TM and EAC were otherwise normal.

In this first report of an ASP needle being "lost" in an EAC, perhaps it may have occurred while the patient slept. The event seems to be rare enough, but acupuncturists should be aware of the possibility, and if patients mention a foreign-body sensation in their ears, hearing unusual sounds, or have persistent discomfort or dizziness, the external auditory canal should be examined.