Idiopathic, inflammatory, medial meatal, fibrotising otitis presenting with lichen planus.
BACKGROUND
Of the acquired ear canal atresias, idiopathic, inflammatory, medial meatal, fibrotising otitis has been suggested as a distinct disease entity, for reasons of aetiology.


OBJECTIVE
To report three more cases of idiopathic, inflammatory, medial meatal, fibrotising otitis and to further consider the possible relationship between this condition and lichen planus.


METHODS
Three adult patients with idiopathic, inflammatory, medial meatal, fibrotising otitis, two with bilateral aural symptoms, treated and followed up at the department of otorhinolaryngology of Helsinki University Hospital.


RESULTS
We found idiopathic, inflammatory, medial meatal, fibrotising otitis, affecting solely the glabrous skin of the osseous part of the external ear canals, in three patients who also suffered from severe oral lichen planus.


CONCLUSIONS
The aetiopathology or pathophysiology of idiopathic, inflammatory, medial meatal, fibrotising otitis may be linked with lichen planus. Early, active treatment of idiopathic, inflammatory, medial meatal, fibrotising otitis with local corticosteroids may prevent total medial meatal atresia.
Hopsu
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Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Kymenlaakso Central Hospital, Kotka, Finland. erkki.hopsu@kymshp.fi
Pitkäranta
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A
D000368:Aged; D004424:Ear Canal / Q000473:pathology*; D005260:Female; D005355:Fibrosis; D005387:Finland; D006801:Humans; D017676:Lichen Planus, Oral / Q000150:complications*; D010032:Otitis Externa / Q000150:complications*