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Hazardous complications of animate foreign bodies in otology practice

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  15 June 2015

K Sikka ,
R Agrawal ,
K Devraja ,
J V Lodha  and
A Thakar
K Sikka*
Affiliation:
Department of Otorhinolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India
R Agrawal
Affiliation:
Department of Otorhinolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India
K Devraja
Affiliation:
Department of Otorhinolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India
J V Lodha
Affiliation:
Department of Otorhinolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, Seth GS Medical College and King Edward Memorial Hospital, Mumbai, India
A Thakar
Affiliation:
Department of Otorhinolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India
*
Address for correspondence: Dr Kapil Sikka, Department of ENT and Head Neck Surgery, Room 4057, Teaching Block, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Ansari Nagar, New Delhi 110 029, India E-mail: kapil_sikka@yahoo.com
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Abstract

Background:

Animate foreign bodies in the ear are frequent occurrences in otology practice. Such foreign bodies may lead to hazardous complications.

Method:

This paper describes a retrospective study of six patients with a recent history of an insect in the ear who presented with various complications following intervention received elsewhere.

Results:

An insect was retrieved from the external auditory canal in four cases and from the antrum in two cases. The patients presented with progressive otological complications: two patients who presented with orbital apex syndrome and cavernous sinus thrombosis succumbed to the disease; three patients suffered sensorineural hearing loss; and two patients had persistent facial palsy. One patient with sigmoid sinus thrombosis, who presented early, experienced complete recovery.

Conclusion:

Insects in the ear can lead to hazardous complications. Animate foreign bodies should preferably be managed by a trained otologist, even in an emergency setting. Patients with delayed presentation and complications have a guarded prognosis.

Keywords

Foreign BodiesInsectsMastoiditisComplications
Type
Main Articles
Information
The Journal of Laryngology & Otology , Volume 129 , Issue 6 , June 2015 , pp. 540 - 543
Copyright
Copyright © JLO (1984) Limited 2015 

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