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Bilateral ear canal stenosis from retained Goode T-tubes
M J Yanta1, O E Brown, J R Fancher
1Department of Otolaryngology, UT Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas 75235-9035, USA.
International Journal of Pediatric Otorhinolaryngology
|October 1, 1996
Summary
Retained tympanostomy tubes can cause severe complications like external auditory canal stenosis and hearing loss. Early detection and management of issues such as otorrhea are crucial for preventing these adverse outcomes.
Area of Science:
- Otolaryngology
- Pediatric Otology
- Surgical Complications
Background:
- Tympanostomy tubes are commonly placed in children to manage otitis media with effusion.
- Complications, though infrequent, can arise from long-term tympanostomy tube retention.
- This case highlights a severe, albeit rare, complication in a pediatric patient.
Observation:
- A 14-year-old male presented with a two-year history of bilateral otorrhea and stenotic external auditory canals (EAC).
- Audiometric studies revealed bilateral conductive hearing loss.
- Biopsies showed granulation tissue and chronic inflammation, with CT confirming complete bilateral EAC stenosis.
Findings:
- Surgical exploration revealed bilateral retained Goode T-tubes, placed in early childhood.
- Removal of the retained tympanostomy tubes led to significant clinical improvement.
- The patient experienced a good recovery with improved hearing following tube extraction.
Implications:
- This case underscores the critical need for vigilant long-term follow-up of patients with tympanostomy tubes.
- Proactive management of complications like otorrhea and granulation tissue is essential to prevent severe outcomes.
- Ensuring timely removal or monitoring of retained tympanostomy tubes can mitigate risks of EAC stenosis and hearing impairment.