剣道による外傷性鼓膜穿孔例

抄録

Cases of tympanic membrane perforation due to trauma are common in general clinical practice. In Japanese patients, such trauma is often caused by cotton-tipped swabs and other tools used for cleaning wax from the ears. Tympanic membrane perforation due to trauma caused by a kendo (Japanese fencing) sword is relatively rare and has rarely been reported.

A 17-year-old male patient visited the clinic complaining of hearing loss in his right ear, which occurred after he was hit and injured on the head while engaging in kendo club activities. A small perforation was observed in the anteroinferior quadrant of the right tympanic membrane. In the hearing test with three frequencies, conductive hearing loss of 40.0 dB was observed in the right ear; a c⁵ dip was also observed. The patient was diagnosed as suffering from tympanic membrane perforation due to trauma in the right ear and treated conservatively. The patient revisited the clinic on the same day, a patch was applied. On the 65th day after the injury, the right tympanic membrane perforation had closed and the hearing had improved to 17.5 dB in the test with three frequencies. Development of a c⁵ dip, however, was observed in the left ear, the healthy side. In view of this case report, attention needs to be paid in the future to the impact of engaging in kendo on hearing loss and other trauma.