title: [Statistical study on the case of aural foreign bodies].
abstract: Although aural foreign bodies are very frequently seen in daily practice, few reports systematically analyze a large case population. We report 509 cases seen at our clinic during the 16 years from January 1986 to December 2001. All were clinically confirmed during the same period among a total of 68,579 new visitors and cases with aural foreign bodies accounted for 0.74%. Cases seen during routine outpatient clinic hours were 161 (31.6%), and others seen in emergencies were 348 (68.4%). Among these were 307 men (60.3%) and 202 women (39.7%). The right side involved 251 (49.3%), the left side 241 (47.3%), and bilateral 4 (0.8%). Monthly distribution showed an average of 42.4 cases a month, peaking during the months of July and August, when temperatures are highest. Age distribution showed an average of 25.4 years old, ranging from 1 month to 90 years of age. Those under 9 years numbered 182 (35.8%) and were the peak incidence by age. In classification by organic and inorganic, organic materials accounted for 206 (40.5%) and inorganic for 288 (56.6%). Organic materials appeared to be related to monthly distribution, i.e. more cases in hot months.
authors.affiliation: Department of Otolaryngology, Saitama Medical School, Saitama.
authors.forename: Isao
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Wada
authors.forename: Yasuhiro
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Kase
authors.forename: Toshitaka
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Iinuma
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004431:Ear, External; D005260:Female; D005547:Foreign Bodies / Q000145:classification / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007564:Japan / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D012621:Seasons; D012737:Sex Factors; D013997:Time Factors