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Destructive foreign body granuloma: A case report
Pithiwat Wongwan1, Sarun Prakairungthong2, Suvajana Atipas2
1Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Chonburi Hospital, Chonburi, Thailand.
SAGE Open Medical Case Reports
|October 7, 2024
Summary
A prolonged foreign body granuloma, initially caused by a pressure-equalizing tube, mimicked malignancy in a patient with external auditory canal polyps. Prompt surgical removal resolved the otorrhea and improved hearing.
Area of Science:
- Otolaryngology
- Pathology
Background:
- External auditory canal polyps can mask serious underlying conditions.
- Delayed diagnosis and treatment can lead to complications.
Observation:
- A 37-year-old woman developed a large polypoid lesion in her ear canal after a pressure-equalizing tube insertion.
- Imaging revealed extensive involvement of the ear canal, middle ear, mastoid, skull base, and intracranial structures, raising concerns for malignancy.
Findings:
- Surgical exploration identified a pressure-equalizing tube within the middle ear.
- Pathological examination confirmed a foreign body granuloma, not malignancy.
Implications:
- This case highlights the importance of considering foreign body reactions in the differential diagnosis of external auditory canal masses.
- Timely follow-up and diagnosis are crucial to prevent severe complications from retained medical devices.
