The resonance frequency of the external auditory canal in children

The frequency of the resonance peak of the external auditory canal was measured in 250 children aged 3 to 12 years. The mean resonance peak frequency was greatest in the younger age groups (3089 Hz in 4 year olds, range 2298 to 3763) and then decreased with age until 7, the age at which adult values were reached. Children less than 7 years of age have mean resonance frequencies significantly different from adults, suggesting that the "adult" length of external auditory canal is not reached until the age of 7. This alteration in resonance frequency with age may have practical implications by affecting the insertion gain of hearing aid systems in children.     

Magnetic resonance imaging of syringocystadenoma papilliferum of the external auditory canal

Syringocystadenoma papilliferum (SCAP) usually occurs on the face or the scalp and is very rare in the external auditory canal (EAC). There has been no information on magnetic resonance (MR) imaging of this tumor irrespective of its site. We report here a case of 57-year-old man having this tumor, which was surgically removed and its histopathology was confirmed. MR imaging demonstrated a lobulated 4-cm mass with clearly defined margins in the EAC. Although the tumor was bulky, these MR findings were different from the malignancies. The mass lesion showed intermediate signal intensity both on T1- and T2-weighted MR images and showed slight enhancement on gadolinium-enhanced T1-weighted images. Signal intensities on T2-weighted images of this tumor were low compared to those of pleomorphic adenoma. All ceruminous gland tumors including SCAP are thought to be potentially malignant; therefore, pre-operative biopsy should not be performed. Even though incisional biopsy is sometimes needed as in our case, the current MR features would be helpful for differential diagnosis of this rare condition and assessing the extension of the tumor.     

耳内镜手术治疗儿童外耳道胆脂瘤的临床观察

1临床资料1.1一般资料2000年1月—2008年2月我科收治儿童原发性外耳道胆脂瘤13例(13耳)。男8例、女5例,年龄5～14岁,病程1～6个月。按照Naim等对外耳道胆脂瘤的临床及病理分期[1],13例患童中有1期9例,2期4例。1.2临床表现13例儿童外耳道胆脂瘤未合并外耳道感染期间几乎无耳部症状,发病时主要临床症状是听力下降、耳鸣及耳闷胀、耳痛、耳液溢。1.3外耳道检查采用耳内镜数字显像及摄影记录,13例胆脂瘤均发生于骨性外耳道,胆脂瘤主体呈团块膨胀性嵌     

Surgery of the external auditory canal in familial bilateral auditory canal atresia

BACKGROUND: Inherited isolated bilateral atresia of the external auditory canal is rare. Ear canal surgery procedure is difficult. METHODS: Basing on a case report of a family with inherited isolated bilateral atresia of the external auditory canal in 4 cases the way of preoperative diagnostics including human genetics and our surgical concept is described. RESULTS: Resulting clinical findings showed complete epithelialization of the ear canal and ear drum with slight conductive hearing loss. CONCLUSIONS: Canaloplasty in atresia can be easily and successfully accomplished by our modified technique.     

罕见外耳道异物一例

患者男，22岁。因微型无线耳机误入右耳道内1个月就诊。曾在外院外3次试取耳道异物，均未成功。查体：患者右耳道狭窄，有大量肉芽组织，耳道深处、异物及鼓膜均不能窥及。颞骨轴位CT扫描（图1）示右耳道和鼓室内高密度影，考虑异物穿破鼓膜部分人鼓室内。初步诊断：外耳道及鼓室异物（右）。     

Magnetic resonance imaging of pleomorphic adenoma arising from the external auditory canal

Pleomorphic adenoma arising from the external auditory canal is a very rare neoplasm, and there has been no report on magnetic resonance (MR) imaging of pleomorphic adenoma of the external auditory canal. We report here a case of 65-year-old male with this tumour, measuring 12 mm in a diameter. Histopathology was confirmed from the specimen obtained at the surgical excision. MR revealed that the tumour had a well-defined margin showing hypointensity on T1-weighted images and hyperintensity on T2-weighted images relative to the parotid gland. The tumour was well enhanced by contrast material. No invasion to the surrounding tissue was observed. These MR findings were compatible with pleomorphic adenoma of the salivary gland origin. In treating pleomorphic adenoma of the external auditory canal, complete surgical excision is essential for the prevention of recurrence. It can be concluded that MR imaging is helpful for making a differential diagnosis of external auditory canal tumours and selection of adequate treatment.     

The misdiagnosis of external auditory canal carcinoma

External auditory canal (EAC) carcinomas are frequently misdiagnosed. The aim of this study was to conduct a review of misdiagnosed cases and analyze the factors involved. This study was a retrospective assessment. Eighteen of 44 EAC carcinoma cases seen at the Eye and ENT Hospital were misdiagnosed. All medical records were retrospectively analyzed for the age, sex, presenting symptoms, type of misdiagnosis, computed tomographic (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings, stage of the cancer, surgical approach, histopathological examination, adjunctive therapy (postoperative radiotherapy) and outcomes of treatment. Six cases were misdiagnosed as otitis media, five cases were misdiagnosed as otitis externa, and two cases were misdiagnosed as external auditory canal cholesteatomas. Other misdiagnoses were stenosis of the EAC, ear neuralgia, furuncle of the EAC, benign neoplasm of the EAC and pre-auricular fistula. Our analyses suggest that a biopsy should be conducted to obtain a histopathological diagnosis if an EAC carcinoma is suspected, in case otitis media or otitis externa does not respond to routine anti-bacterials. Head and neck MRI should be used to explore the involvement of soft tissues. Patients with bloody ear discharge and otalgia, particularly with temporal bone erosion seen in a CT scan, are highly likely to have a malignant carcinoma of the temporal bone.     

Schwannoma of the external auditory canal

Schwannomas are uncommon tumors of the external auditory canal. In the English literature, very few cases of schwannomas originating in the external auditory canal were reported. In this report, we described a 44-year-old patient who presented with external auditory canal mass which was managed by local excision. The clinical and histologic features, the differential diagnosis, and the treatment of external auditory canal schwannoma is discussed.     

Reticulohistiocytoma of the external auditory canal

We report the first documented case of reticulohistiocytoma of the external auditory canal in a 15-year-old male. Reticulohistiocytoma is a rare diagnosis in children. Reticulohistiocytoma, a benign lesion, belongs to a family of histiocytosis disorders which range from benign to malignant. Although histiocytic disorders are uncommon, they should be included in differential diagnosis of pediatric aural polyps.     

Cancer of the external auditory canal

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the outcome of surgery for cancer of the external auditory canal and relate this to the Pittsburgh staging system used both on squamous cell carcinoma and non-squamous cell carcinoma. DESIGN: Retrospective case series of all patients who had surgery between 1979 and 2000. Median follow-up was 47 months (range, 2-148 months). Data on age, sex, symptoms, TNM status, histopathological diagnosis, surgery, adjunctive therapy, sequelae, recurrence, and status at follow-up were obtained. SETTING: An ear, nose, and throat department in an ambulatory and hospitalized care center. PATIENTS: Ten women and 10 men with previously untreated primary cancer. Median age at diagnosis was 67 years (range, 31-87 years). Survival data included 18 patients with at least 2 years of follow-up or recurrence. INTERVENTION: Local canal resection or partial temporal bone resection. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Recurrence rate. RESULTS: Half of the patients had squamous cell carcinoma. Thirteen of the patients had stage I tumor (65%), 2 had stage II (10%), 2 had stage III (10%), and 3 had stage IV tumor (15%). Twelve patients were cured. All patients with stage I or II cancers were cured except 1 with adenoid cystic carcinoma. No patients with stage III or IV cancer were cured. All recurrences developed in patients with incompletely resected tumors. CONCLUSIONS: The outcome was related to the stage of disease, suggesting that the Pittsburgh staging system is useful also in patients with non-squamous cell carcinoma. Patients with early cancer benefited from a less aggressive surgical approach, while survival was poor in patients with advanced cancer with incompletely resected tumors despite adjuvant radiotherapy.     

儿童外耳道胆脂瘤的临床分型与手术

目的总结儿童外耳道胆脂瘤的手术疗效。方法[HTK〗根据36例儿童外耳道胆脂瘤的临床特征及胆脂瘤对外耳道破坏的程度进行临床分型;Ⅰ型为外耳道肉芽型,耳道骨质无破坏;Ⅱ型为外耳道狭窄骨质破坏型;Ⅲ型外耳道胆脂瘤已侵蚀上鼓室或乳突形成中耳胆脂瘤。结果36耳随访半年以上33耳,30耳外耳道皮肤完整,2耳术后8周耳道出现瘢痕性狭窄,经治疗耳道上皮愈合无再狭窄。1耳行改良乳突根治术多年仍有间歇性耳溢,3耳失访。结论儿童外耳道胆脂瘤的突出表现是外耳道有肉芽。显微镜下手术有助于识别病变破坏的轮廓及与周围结构的关系,恰当磨宽骨性耳道口部,磨光耳道骨质破坏区的骨壁,耳道皮肤缺损区移植皮片,可防止后期耳道瘢痕性狭窄及胆脂瘤复发。耳道填塞碘仿纱条不得少于4周,每周更换1次,直到耳道上皮愈合为止。Ⅲ型外耳道胆脂瘤应行改良乳突根治术。由于儿童外耳道胆脂瘤更具侵蚀性,手术的难度和危险性更大,应予高度重视。     

Fibroxanthoma of the external auditory canal

Atypical fibroxanthoma is an scarce skin tumor which usually develops in exposed areas of elderly persons. It is very uncommon in the external auditory canal, where it might be wrongly diagnosed as a sebaceous cyst or carcinoma. We report a case of atypical fibroxanthoma of the external auditory canal and review the current procedure for the differential diagnosis of these lesions.