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- Title
Managing the Destructive Foreign Body: Water Beads in the Ear (A Case Series) and Literature Review.
- Authors
Zalzal, Habib G.; Ryan, Matthew; Reilly, Brian; Mudd, Pamela
- Abstract
Objective: To characterize our experience with super-absorbent polymer beads placed in the external auditory canal to better understand the damage caused and subsequent management required. Methods: Retrospective chart review of pediatric patients at 2 separate tertiary referral centers. Results: Seven patients were identified as having placed super-absorbent polymer beads in the external auditory canal, 6 of whom required removal under general anesthesia. Three patients did not suffer otologic trauma or hearing loss (average foreign body duration <72 hours). Four patients experienced severe otologic complications (average foreign body duration >1 week), all of whom were treated with otologic drops prior to bead identification. Of this severe complication group, 3 patients had restored hearing after surgical intervention, while 1 patient suffered profound hearing loss secondary to labyrinthitis ossificans. Conclusion: Early recognition of otologic foreign bodies is important, particularly if expansile water-bead is suspected. Depending on timeframe, water beads are highly destructive to the middle ear structures, and most patients will require surgical intervention.
- Subjects
FOREIGN body reaction; GENERAL anesthesia; EAR canal; TIME; TYMPANIC membrane perforation; DEAFNESS; TERTIARY care; RETROSPECTIVE studies; ACQUISITION of data; TREATMENT effectiveness; MEDICAL records; LABYRINTHITIS; FOREIGN bodies; SURGERY; DIAGNOSIS
- Publication
Annals of Otology, Rhinology & Laryngology, 2023, Vol 132, Issue 9, p1090
- ISSN
0003-4894
- Publication type
Article
- DOI
10.1177/00034894221133768