Bilateral External Ear Canal Duplication: A Case Report

Herein described is an eight-year-old female patient presenting with bilateral external ear canal duplication and a history of recurrent postauricular abscesses, otorrhea, and moderate left-sided conductive hearing loss. Previous incision and drainage of the postauricular abscesses yielded little long-term success. Medical history was otherwise unremarkable. Physical examination revealed a cystic mass in the right ear and postauricular fibrosis, likely a result of previous surgical interventions. An audiogram revealed asymmetric hearing function, with mild-to-moderate conductive hearing loss in the left ear contrasting normal hearing in the right ear, while tympanometry confirmed an intact right tympanic membrane but was precluded on the left due to purulent otorrhea. A head CT scan revealed postauricular soft tissue swelling and well-pneumatized mastoid air cells. Both ears were explored intraoperatively via postauricular incisions. Surgical excision included removal of a cyst, cartilaginous remnants, and fibrotic tissue. The patient was followed up to assess for postsurgical complications. The surgical site healed uneventfully; no new symptoms or recurrences of past symptoms of otorrhea, cyst formation, or abscesses had developed within the twelve weeks post-surgery. Although external ear canal duplications are rare, it is imperative that early, accurate diagnoses be made to ensure optimal patient outcomes.