Foreign bodies of the external auditory canal: causes, symptoms, diagnosis, treatment
Last reviewed: 23.04.2024
All iLive content is medically reviewed or fact checked to ensure as much factual accuracy as possible.
We have strict sourcing guidelines and only link to reputable media sites, academic research institutions and, whenever possible, medically peer reviewed studies. Note that the numbers in parentheses ([1], [2], etc.) are clickable links to these studies.
If you feel that any of our content is inaccurate, out-of-date, or otherwise questionable, please select it and press Ctrl + Enter.
Foreign bodies of the external auditory canal can be various objects (bones, seeds, small balls, beads, leaves, batteries, parts of hygienic sticks, etc.), and insects (flies, cockroaches, bugs).
ICD-10 code
T16 Foreign body in ear.
Epidemiology of foreign bodies of the external auditory canal
Foreign bodies of the external auditory canal are often observed, especially in children.
Prevention of foreign bodies of the external auditory canal
Observation of children (not to leave small objects unattended), explanatory conversations with parents.
Symptoms of foreign bodies of the external auditory canal
The presence of this or that foreign object in the external auditory canal.
Diagnosis of foreign bodies of the external auditory canal
Physical examination
To determine the foreign body in the external auditory passage, an otoscopy is performed.
Treatment of foreign bodies of the external auditory canal
Non-drug treatment
If the foreign body is not inclined to swell, it is removed by washing the ear, directing the jet into the gap between the foreign body and the wall of the auditory canal. If the foreign body is capable of swelling and lay for several days, it is advisable to preliminarily bury alcohol drops into the external auditory meatus for 2-3 days. Foreign bodies of vegetable origin shrivel and are more easily pushed out during subsequent washing. Live foreign bodies are preliminarily destroyed by digging in oil or alcohol droplets, and then they are washed away.
In the absence of inflammation and signs of irritation of the walls of the external auditory canal, with a sufficient overview, you can remove the foreign body with tools (probe with a curved end, Veaceschek's Attic probe, curette). The hook is set up for the foreign body parallel to the wall of the external auditory canal, then it is turned through 90 ° and the foreign body is pulled out.
Medication
After removal of the foreign body, the auditory passage is swabbed (povidone-iodine, hyoxysone).
Surgery. When the foreign body is inserted into the tympanic cavity, the removal is performed under anesthesia, partially removing the anterior or posterior wall of the external auditory canal.
[What do need to examine?
How to examine?