title: Cerumen impaction.
abstract: Cerumen impaction represents the most common otologic problem encountered by physicians. It can affect up to 6% of the general population and a much higher percentage in the mentally retarded population. Cerumen is a mixture of secretory products of two glands in the external auditory canal where it serves a protective function. The external auditory canal possesses a unique anatomy and physiology that permits an efficient self-cleaning system. In most cases, a breakdown in the epithelial migration of the external auditory canal is thought to cause cerumen impaction. The management of cerumen impaction include direct removal, irrigation, and the use of cerumenolytics.
authors.affiliation: Tulane University Medical Center, Department of Otolaryngolgoy-Head and Neck Surgery, New Orleans, La., USA.
authors.forename: M A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Jabor
authors.forename: R G
authors.initials: RG
authors.lastname: Amedee
mesh_terms: D002571:Cerumen / Q000502:physiology*; D004424:Ear Canal / Q000382:microbiology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D006314:Hearing Loss, Conductive / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000503:physiopathology; D007507:Therapeutic Irrigation