1/5. The petrified auricle: comments on ossification, calcification and exostoses of the external ear.The petrified auricle is a clinical entity in which the auricle, in part or total, has become stone-hard and moves as a rigid unit. This uncommon condition is most often due to ectopic calcification of the auricular cartilage. It may occur as a result of local trauma, in association with various systemic diseases such as Addison's disease, hypopituitarism, thyroid or parathyroid disorders, or following radiation therapy. Auricular ossificans (ectopic ossification) is a rare phenomenon in which the rigidity of the petrified ear is due to replacement of the elastic cartilage by bone. In the literature there are presently nine cases documented histologically. Two more cases are reported here. In most cases, the auricular changes are preceded by acute, severe hypothermia (frostbite). exostoses of the external auditory canal is another disease of the external ear in which the proliferation of bone follows chronic mild hypothermia of the external auditory canal caused by exposure to cold water while surfing. It is postulated that if surfers who have developed exostoses of the external auditory canal from the cold water continue to enjoy such littoral activities, ossification of the auricle may also occur.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = canal (Clic here for more details about this article) |
2/5. Recurrent acquired atresia of the external auditory canal and associated canal cholesteatoma.Acquired atresia of the external auditory canal associated with medial canal cholesteatoma is a rare finding. recurrence of this pathologic picture redevelops three times. Various speculations regarding possible etiologic factors, as well as audiometry and treatment are discussed.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 3.3333333333333keywords = canal (Clic here for more details about this article) |
3/5. Reconstruction of stenotic external auditory canal with a postauricular chondrocutaneous flap.A case of stenosis of the external auditory canal secondary to a burn injury was reconstructed with a chondrocutaneous postauricular flap. Advantages of this technique include the use of a single flap to reconstruct the whole circumference of the canal, the fact that a chondrocutaneous flap is more likely to prevent restenosis than a skin flap alone, and the fact that reconstruction with an axial-pattern flap is more reliable than reconstruction with a random-pattern flap.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 2keywords = canal (Clic here for more details about this article) |
4/5. Surgical treatment of acquired external auditory canal atresia.OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to analyze the etiologies, clinical presentation, treatment options, and results of treatment in a series of patients with acquired external auditory canal atresia (AEACA) and to put this analysis in the context of the existing literature on this topic. STUDY DESIGN: The study design was a retrospective case review. SETTING: The study was performed at a tertiary otologic referral practice. patients: This study included patients with soft tissue AEACA. INTERVENTION: patients received surgical excision of atresia process, conchomeatoplasty, canalplasty, and, when indicated, split-thickness skin graft (STSG) reconstruction. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: These included definition of a characteristic patient profile and the incidence of postoperative complications including restenosis. RESULTS: This series of six patients is unusual in that in all patients, atresia resulted either from prior surgery or trauma rather than from chronic infection, which is the most commonly seen etiology in the literature. An average of 14 years' lag time transpired between the inciting event and the surgical repair. Five of six patients required STSG for reconstruction; all did well. The single patient who did not require STSG had a minor restenosis develop that did not require revision surgery. CONCLUSIONS: Acquired external auditory canal atresia often is caused by trauma or prior surgery. Years may elapse between the inciting event and reconstructive surgery. The use of an STSG can be an important component to a successful surgical outcome.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 2.3333333333333keywords = canal (Clic here for more details about this article) |
5/5. Cause of posterior canal wall retraction after surgery from the viewpoint of mastoid conditions.OBJECTIVE: To determine the relationship between preservation of the mastoid mucosa during ear surgery and retraction of the attic or posterior wall of the external auditory canal (EAC) and mastoid aeration after surgery. methods AND DESIGN: Retraction of the posterior EAC wall and mastoid aeration were evaluated after surgery in 48 individuals (50 ears) with cholesteatoma, adhesive otitis media, or chronic suppurative otitis media, in whom the posterior bony EAC walls were removed with or without preservation of mucosa and reconstructed with soft tissues alone (EAC skin and temporal fascia) during surgery. RESULTS: Postoperative computed tomography showed that in ears with notable retraction of the posterior EAC wall appearing like an open mastoid cavity, there was no air in the mastoid, whereas in ears with no or only slight retraction there was computed tomographic evidence of mastoid aeration. Second, notable retraction of the posterior EAC wall occurred in a significantly smaller percentage of ears in which at least the epitympanic mucosa had been able to be preserved during surgery than in those that had undergone removal of all mucosa (mastoidectomy). CONCLUSIONS: These results indicate that 1) preservation of epitympanic mucosa during surgery is an important factor for prevention of retraction of the posterior EAC wall and for reaeration of the mastoid after surgery, and 2) the intact canal wall technique seems to be indicated whenever at least the epitympanic mucosa can be preserved, and when no mucosa can be preserved the canal wall down procedure seems to be indicated.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 2.3333333333333keywords = canal (Clic here for more details about this article) |