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Neglected keratosis obturans causing facial nerve palsy

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  31 March 2006

F Glynn
Affiliation:
Department of Otolaryngology/Head and Neck Surgery, Royal Victoria Eye and Ear Hospital, Dublin, Ireland
I J Keogh
Affiliation:
Department of Otolaryngology/Head and Neck Surgery, Royal Victoria Eye and Ear Hospital, Dublin, Ireland
H Burns
Affiliation:
Department of Otolaryngology/Head and Neck Surgery, Royal Victoria Eye and Ear Hospital, Dublin, Ireland

Abstract

Keratosis obturans is characterized by the accumulation of desquamated keratinous material in the bony portion of the external auditory canal. Classically, it is reported to present with severe otalgia, conductive hearing loss and global widening of the external auditory canal. Extensive erosion of the bony meatus, with exposure of the facial nerve, has been previously reported, but no case of facial nerve palsy has as yet been published. We report the first published case, to our knowledge, of a unilateral facial nerve palsy secondary to neglected keratosis obturans.

Type
Clinical Records
Copyright
2006 JLO (1984) Limited

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