title: An unsuspected alkaline battery foreign body presenting as malignant otitis externa.
abstract: We describe a case of an unsuspected button battery foreign body in the ear canal causing symptoms that mimic malignant otitis externa in a previously healthy 13 year old. Button batteries in the ear canal may cause extensive liquefactive necrosis of the surrounding tissue by leaking an alkaline electrolyte solution. Suspicion of a foreign body should be maintained in any child presenting with a complicated otitis externa. Prompt evaluation and removal of button batteries are necessary to prevent tissue destruction.
authors.affiliation: Department of General Academic and Emergency Pediatrics, Children's Memorial Hospital, Chicago, IL 60614.
authors.forename: D M
authors.initials: DM
authors.lastname: Bhisitkul
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Dunham
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D004424:Ear Canal / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D011211:Electric Power Supplies; D005547:Foreign Bodies / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D015745:Granuloma, Foreign-Body / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010032:Otitis Externa / Q000175:diagnosis*; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed