title: Trauma patterns, symptoms, and complications associated with external auditory canal fractures.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  External auditory canal (EAC) trauma, although rare, can have significant long-term adverse outcomes. This study aims to investigate the frequency, treatment, and complications of external ear canal injury in association with mandibular and temporal bone trauma.
  
  
  METHODS
  Retrospective chart review.
  
  
  METHODS
  Computed tomography images with mandibular or temporal bone trauma were reviewed for EAC fractures. Patient data were collected from initial presentation and subsequent follow-up clinic visits.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Thirty-nine percent of temporal bone fractures and 3.3% of mandible trauma involved the EAC. In particular, 10% of condylar or subcondylar trauma included an EAC fracture (P = 0.0006). One patient sustained bilateral EAC fractures despite an isolated, unilateral condylar fracture. The most common presenting sign was blood in the external auditory canal. Two patients underwent exam under anesthesia and removal of debris and stenting as treatment, whereas 42% of the patients were placed on otic drops and 5% received packing or a stent. Follow-up data were only available for 16% of the patients. Hearing loss from otic capsule involvement or ossicular chain disruption were follow-up complaints, and one patient had persistent canal stenosis.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  External auditory canal trauma is present in a significant proportion of mandibular and temporal bone trauma, including both condylar and noncondylar fractures with a higher incidence of condylar fractures. One case was seen with bilateral EAC fractures despite a unilateral mandibular fracture. Complications of these fractures can include hearing loss and canal stenosis; however, additional outpatient follow-up is needed to further elucidate long-term complications and shape treatment recommendations.
authors.affiliation: Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, Michigan, U.S.A.
authors.forename: Daniela M
authors.initials: DM
authors.lastname: Burchhardt
authors.affiliation: Department of Oncology, Karmanos Cancer Institute, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, Michigan, U.S.A.
authors.forename: John
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: David
authors.forename: Robert
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Eckert
authors.affiliation: Department of Oncology, Karmanos Cancer Institute, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, Michigan, U.S.A.
authors.forename: Natasha L
authors.initials: NL
authors.lastname: Robinette
authors.affiliation: Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, Michigan, U.S.A.
authors.forename: Michael A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Carron
authors.affiliation: Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, Michigan, U.S.A.
authors.forename: Giancarlo F
authors.initials: GF
authors.lastname: Zuliani
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D004424:Ear Canal / Q000293:injuries*; D004427:Ear Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008337:Mandibular Fractures / Q000150:complications* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012887:Skull Fractures / Q000150:complications* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D013701:Temporal Bone / Q000293:injuries*; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D015599:Trauma Severity Indices; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: EAC trauma, external auditory canal fracture; condylar trauma; mandibular trauma; temporal bone trauma