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Objectives:
To evaluate (1) patients with external ear canal exostoses by age, sex
and participating in water activities; (2) it’s influence to hearing
loss; to determine the relationship between the obstruction of external
auditory canal and (3) the hearing loss; to evaluate (4) histology of
external ear canal exostoses.
Methods:
Data of 20 patients that were operated for external ear canal exostoses
in Hospital of Kaunas University of Medicine (Lithuania) since November
2005 to January 2007 were analyzed. Anamnesis data were correlated with
otoscopic and operation findings. A simple grading system was devised,
based on the degree of external auditory canal stenosis. Grades of mild,
moderate, and severe corresponded to 99% to 66%, 65% to 33%, and less
than 33% effective patent surface area, respectively. Eliminated bone
fragments were evaluated histologically.
Results:
All 20 patients (100%) were men with the mean age of 49.2 ± 8.4 years
old (35-68 years). Water activities as a risk factor was indicated in 17
(85%) patients. Moderate stenosis of external ear canal was observed in
14 (70%), servere stenosis in 6 (30%) patients. 16 (80%) patients
complained of hearing loss. Audiologically conductive or mixed hearing
loss was confirmed in 8 (40%) patients. Histology verified remodeled
concentric lamellar bony organization without intervening vascular
tissue in all (100%) cases. In 3 cases (15%) there were seen Havers
canal system and in other 3 samples (15%) lamellar bone was covered with
keratotic planocellular epithelium. No statistical corelation was found
between the obstruction of external auditory canal and the length of
time spent for water activities or hearing loss.
Conclusion:
In our research exostoses of external ear canal were common in middle-aged
men, who complained of hearing loss and recurrent otitis externa.
Conductive or mixed hearing loss was confirmed for the half of all
patients that complained of hearing loss. A histologic examination
showed remodeled concentric lamellar bony organization without
intervening vascular tissue. Data of our research correspond to
literature data. |
