Unilateral Traumatic Atresia of External Auditory Canal: A Case Report

Abstract

External Auditory Canal (EAC) atresia, which can be acquired or congenital, is a condition in which the EAC is not present. A blind sac in the external acoustic meatus is the result of intraluminal or extraluminal processes of various aetiologies, which can lead to acquired atresia of the EAC. Acquired EAC atresia is a rare disorder of the EAC, and it is extremely uncommon for it to be brought on by direct trauma. In present investigation, a 31-year-old female patient, leading to onset of right temporal discomfort and impaired hearing in the right ear. On examination, a 10×1 cm tender scar was present extending from right parietal region till right zygomatic arch with stenosis in the right external auditory meatus. Facial nerve examination revealed loss of wrinkling on right side with slight deviation of the angle of mouth to left side. High Resolution Computed Tomography (HRCT) temporal bone showed soft tissue causing complete occlusion of right EAC. Patient underwent right EAC atresiaplasty with canaloplasty and canal reconstruction. Facial nerve weakness persisted postoperatively. Patient is still on follow-up and has improved symptomatically with no restenosis. Surgical management of EAC atresia is very challenging, thus it needs meticulous planning and long term follow-up for good results which was evident in the present case.