Bilateral ear canal stenosis from retained Goode T-tubes

A 14-year old white male presented with a 2-year history of bilateral otorrhea. Purulent otorrhea with very stenotic external auditory canals (EAC) were found, and the patient was treated with topical otic solutions. Bilateral conductive hearing loss was found on audiometric studies. Biopsies were taken after the patient failed medical treatment. The results were consistent with granulation tissue and chronic inflammation. A CT scan revealed complete bilateral EAC stenosis. At surgery the patient was found to have bilateral retained Goode T-tubes, which were placed at 2 years of age. After removal of the tubes, the patient made a good recovery with improved hearing. This case illustrates a severe complication of retained tympanostomy tubes. Patients with these tubes require close long-term follow-up with careful management of problems such as granulation tissue or otorrhea to prevent this type of complication.