Imaging diagnosis of benign lesions of the external auditory canal (original) (raw)

Diagnóstico por imagen de las lesiones benignas del conducto auditivo externo

Acta Otorrinolaringológica Española, 2013

Benign lesions of the external auditory canal (EAC) are an infrequent cause of temporal bone CT scan requests. We are not usually well versed in the different pathologies located in the EAC, perhaps because it is "only" a conduit and the relevant anatomical structures are located in the middle and inner ear. Our objective was to improve knowledge of this structure by reviewing the different benign conditions found in this location. We reviewed the CT studies from 2 years (January 2010 through January 2012), selecting those containing lesions in the EAC. To complement this, due to the importance of these lesions, these medical histories were then analysed considering the presentation and otoscopic examination findings. The lesions were classified according to their diagnoses: exostosis, osteoma, cholesteatoma, keratosis obturans, haemangioma, non-neoplastic aural polyp, first branchial cyst and dermatologic disease (malignant external otitis). The presence of EAC occupation in the otological examination and chronic otorrhea as the symptom of presentation were the most relevant exploratory and clinical findings. Benign EAC lesions are an uncommon and seldom studied cause of temporal bone CT scan requests. Knowing the most relevant clinical and radiological findings is necessary for their proper diagnosis.

Masses and disease entities of the external auditory canal: Radiological and clinical correlation

Clinical Radiology, 2012

A wide spectrum of disease entities can affect the external auditory canal (EAC). This review describes the normal anatomy of the EAC. Congenital abnormalities, infections, neoplasms, and miscellaneous conditions, such as cholesteatoma and acquired stenosis, are shown with reference to clinical relevance and management. Cases have been histologically confirmed, where relevant. The EAC is frequently imaged d for example, on cross-sectional imaging of the brain d and this review should stimulate radiologists to include it as an important area for review.

Estudo Comparativo entre Achados Radiológicos e Cirúrgicos na Otite Média Crônica Comparative Study Between Radiological and Surgical Findings of …

Arq. int. …, 2011

Introduction: The chronic otitis media (COM) is a prevalent disease and the most frequent cause of indication to mastoidectomy. Many studies have evaluated the use of tomography (CT) of temporal bones for preoperative evaluation of COM and its indication in the preoperative approach is still controversial nowadays. Objective: To evaluate the sensitivity of the clinical and radiological findings of COM according to the intraoperative surgical results and histopathological findings. Method: Transversal retrospective study through collection of record data of patients with COM submitted to mastoidectomy in the period from 2007 through 2008 in our service. Results: From a total of 82 ears, 40.24% had cholesteatoma. The CT presented 72.73% of sensitivity in the identification of cholesteatoma, 56.67% in the identification of changes to the ossicular chain and 100% in that of erosion of the lateral semicircular canal. Conclusion: The clinical and radiological findings showed a high level sensitivity with intraoperative findings as regards to the presence of cholesteatoma, large changes of the ossicular chain and erosion of the lateral semicircular canal. For minor changes to the ossicular chain, the facial nerve canal and the tympanic tegmen they described low sensitivity.

Usefulness of CT scans in malignant external otitis: effective tool for the diagnosis, but of limited value in predicting outcome

European Archives of Oto-Rhino-Laryngology, 2007

Computerized tomography (CT) scanning is a well recognised tool for the diagnosis of malignant external otitis. To investigate the degree of correlation between CT Wndings scan and the patients clinical status focusing on a subgroup of patients with cranial nerve palsies. Diagnosis of malignant external otitis was conWrmed in 23 patients (average age 71 years, age range 39-87) based on criteria of severe pain, otitis externa refractory to conventional treatments and possibly diabetes mellitus and pseudomonas detection. CT was performed on 23 of these patients. Results from these scans were analysed and correlated with patient clinical status. Retrospective analysis of CT images and medical notes were used for data analysis.The CT scans of all 23 patients showed evidence of involvement of disease outside the external auditory canal, conWrming the diagnosis. Sixteen out of 23 patients (70%) demonstrated evidence of bone erosion. Four of the 16 showed involvement of the petrous apex. From our subset of ten patients with cranial nerve involvement, eight demonstrated evidence of bone erosion and two showed mastoid and middle ear involvement without bone erosion. All four patients with petrous apical involvement presented with cranial nerve palsies (two lower cranial nerve palsies, one seventh nerve palsy and one combined lower and seventh nerve palsy). CT scanning was found to be a fast and economical tool in the initial assessment of patients with malignant external otitis. Petrous apex involvement was constantly associated with cranial nerve palsies, usually the lower cranial nerves. CT Wndings of temporal bone in itself however, were not closely correlated to the clinical outcome of the patients.

The oncology of otology

The Laryngoscope, 2012

Objectives/Hypothesis: To describe the population of patients with malignancy affecting the ear canal and temporal bone.

External and middle ear diseases: radiological diagnosis based on clinical signs and symptoms

Insights into Imaging, 2011

Objective Pathology of the external and middle ear is the most frequent reason to prescribe antibiotics and perform surgery in children and young adults. In the majority of cases imaging studies are not performed; the need for imaging comes when complications are suspected or when treatment is not effective. This paper discusses indications for temporal bone imaging studies and presents the most frequent pathological conditions, together with differential diagnosis, clinical symptoms and methods of treatment.

External Auditory Canal Cholesteatoma: Clinical and Radiological Features

International Archives of Otorhinolaryngology, 2021

Introduction External auditory canal cholesteatoma (EACC) is often misdiagnosed. Objectives To outline the clinical presentation of EACC, and to describe its radiological findings on high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) of the temporal bone. Methods The clinical records of all patients diagnosed with EACC from April 2017 to March 2020 in a tertiary care center were retrospectively reviewed. The clinical presentation, the findings on the HRCT of the temporal bone, and the treatment provided were analyzed. Results A total of 9 patients, 7 males and 2 females, with a mean age of 30 years, were diagnosed with primary EACC. Six patients presented with otorrhoea, three, with otalgia, three. with hearing loss, and one with facial palsy. Some patients had multiple symptoms. The most common findings on otomicroscopy were destruction of the posterior and inferior canal walls, with cholesteatoma and intact tympanic membrane (six patients). Two patients had aural polyp, and one had a narr...

External auditory canal cholesteatoma: clinical and imaging spectrum

AJNR. American journal of neuroradiology, 2003

Cholesteatoma is an inflammatory lesion of the temporal bone that uncommonly involves the external auditory canal (EAC). In this large case series, we aimed to define its imaging features and to determine the characteristics most important to its clinical management. Thirteen cases of EAC cholesteatoma (EACC) were retrospectively reviewed. Clinical data were reviewed for the history, presentation, and physical examination findings. High-resolution temporal bone CT scans were examined for a soft-tissue mass in the EAC, erosion of adjacent bone, and bone fragments in the mass. The middle ear cavity, mastoid, facial nerve canal, and tegmen tympani were evaluated for involvement. Patients presented with otorrhea, otalgia, or hearing loss. Eight cases were spontaneous, and five were postsurgical or post-traumatic. CT imaging in all 13 cases showed a soft-tissue mass with adjacent bone erosion. Intramural bone fragments were identified in seven cases. This mass most often arose inferiorly...

An unusual presentation of the external auditory canal mass

The Egyptian Journal of Otolaryngology

Background External auditory canal (EAC) masses can arise secondary to a multitude of ear pathologies like congenital, inflammatory, infective, or malignancy. The most common causes of external auditory canal masses are due to otitis media—squamous and mucosal types, tubercular otitis media, malignant otitis externa, and benign tumors like osteomas, exostosis, pleomorphic adenoma, tumors from the ceruminous and sebaceous glands; and malignant tumors like squamous cell carcinoma and rhabdomyosarcoma. The management of an external auditory canal mass will vary in each case, depending upon the underlying pathology and the extent of the involvement of the surrounding structures. Case presentation In our case report, we report a neglected foreign body in the external auditory canal that presented as an EAC mass and its management. Conclusion Hence, we suggest that we need to consider an underlying neglected foreign body as a cause, whenever masses of EAC do not respond to appropriate med...

High resolution computed tomography of temporal bone in the evaluation of otologic diseases

International Journal of Otorhinolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, 2017

HRCT is particularly helpful in evaluating the anatomy and pathology of external auditory canal, middle ear cavity, vestibular aqueduct, tegmen tympani, sigmoid sinus plate, vertical segment of facial nerve canal, sinodural angle, carotid canal, jugular fossa, infra and supralabrynthine air cells and temporomandibular joint; both soft tissue extension and significantly sensitive ABSTRACT Background: Conventional radiological methods like X-ray mastoid have limited ability to delineate the details of the complex temporal bone and cochlea-vestibular anatomy and disease pathology. This can be overcome by the use of High resolution computed tomography (HRCT) evaluation of the temporal bone. HRCT is helpful in evaluating the anatomy and pathology type and extent of disease, thereby helps in preoperative planning. Methods: The CT scan of forty five patients attending the outpatient department of otorhinolaryngology in a tertiary care centre between August 2014 to August 2017 was evaluated in this study. Each CT scan was interpreted by an otolaryngologist and a radiologist and interpretation was by consensus. The data collected was evaluated and results are reported as rates and proportions (%). Results: The study evaluated CT scan of 45 patients of which 35 were male patients and 10 were female patients with age ranging from 5 years to 75 years. Most of these patients belonged to the 21-30, 31-40 age groups [9 (20%) in each group]. Infections of middle ear cleft (all with cholesteatoma), fractures of the temporal bone, anomalies and tumors of the external auditory canal and middle ear were the pathologies observed in these CT scans with infection (otomastoiditis) [23 (51.1%)] being the most common pathology observed. Conclusions: Pre-operative CT scan may not only help in identifying the nature, extent of infectious disease including ossicular, bony erosions; it may also identify anomalies in the temporal bone and surrounding structures. Thus, HRCT temporal bone will help the surgeon in planning effective surgical strategy, reducing morbidity during the surgery.