Middle ear foreign body causing cholesteatoma and external auditory canal granuloma: a case report

Objective Patients with unilateral ear discharge and hearing loss often have external or middle ear diseases. We present a 55-year-old man who suffered from persistent ear discharge and hearing loss in the left ear. Local findings showed that his left ear canal was filled with a large amount of granulation tissue, with purulent, foul-smelling discharge. Computed tomography indicated left middle ear cholesteatoma and mass shadow in the left external auditory canal. Modified radical mastoidectomy was performed. A piece of white plastic stick was found in the middle ear during the operation. Foreign body-induced cholesteatoma and external auditory canal granuloma in adults are very rare. We present this rare case so that these conditions can be better recognized and understood.