Foreign-body-induced otitis media: a case report.

Abstract

Unilateral ear discharge is one of the usual complaints of the patients who visited the otolaryngology clinics, especially those patients who suffered from external or middle ear disease. We present a 33-year-old female patient who suffered from persistent ear discharge of the left ear. The local findings showed a yellowish to greenish discharge and fetid odor from her left ear canal, occupied by a large amount of granulation tissue. Wide removal of the diseased granulation tissue and tympanoplasty were performed in the patient. Four pieces of cotton were found in the external auditory canal and middle ear cavity during the operation. For more than 2 years of follow-up at our clinic, the patient has had a dry ear and her hearing ability also improved. Foreign-body-induced otitis media in adults is very rare. Therefore, we present this rare case and review the reported literature so that the clinical symptoms and signs, imaging findings, clinical treatment, prognosis, and hearing change in foreign-body-induced otitis media may be recognized and understood.