title: [Osteomas and exostoses of external auditory canal in material of Otolaryngology Department Medical University of Gdańsk].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Osteomas and exostoses of the external auditory canal are benign tumours arising in bones, leading to its obstruction and causing hearing loss. The treatment of these entities may present a therapeutic dilemma.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To assess epidemiological and clinical data and surgical treatment effectiveness.
  
  
  METHODS
  The study group consisted of 21 patients (14 men and 7 women) between 18 to 63 years of age, treated in the Otorhinolaryngology Department of Medical University of Gdańsk from 1995 to 2009. The results of audiometric, radiological and histopathological examination were taken into consideration.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Unilateral osteomas developing in tympanosquamous suture in 5 patients, in tympanomastoid suture in 4. Bilateral exostoses occured in 12 patients in anterior, posterior and inferior wall of the external auditory canal. In all patients: conductive hearing loss ranged from 15 to 30 dB (average 29.9 dB), in 6 patients with concomitant sensorineural component. Osteomas were removed via intrauricular approach according to Mawson-Goodhill's method. Exostoses were removed via intrauricular, intracanal or postauricular approach. Histological examination confirmed benign overgrowth of compact and trabecular bone. The auditory canal was successfully reamed, the hearing improved in all patients.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Osteomas are benign tumours leading to obstruction of the external auditory canal. Exostosis is the overgrowth of the external auditory canal's compact bone in adults. Osteomas and exostoses may lead to hearing loss. Indications to surgical treatment are ear pain, progressive hearing loss and recurrent otitis external.
authors.affiliation: Klinika Otolaryngologii GUMed. jerzyk@gumed.edu.pl
authors.forename: Jerzy
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Kuczkowski
authors.forename: Małgorzata
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Potocka
authors.forename: Grazyna
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Kobierska-Gulida
authors.forename: Tomasz
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Przewoźny
authors.forename: Mirosława
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Dubaniewicz-Wybieralska
mesh_terms: D000046:Academic Medical Centers; D000328:Adult; D001859:Bone Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery*; D004424:Ear Canal / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D005096:Exostoses / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010016:Osteoma / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery*; D011044:Poland; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult