Abstract
Two cases of traumatic stenosis of the external auditory canal due to traffic accidents are reported here.
In Case 1, the stenosis occurred due to compression of the anterior bony wall by the fractured head of the mandible in the lateral portion of the ear canal. At surgery, perforation of the tympanic membrane was noted along with severe inflammation of the middle ear. Open method mastoidectomy and tympanoplasty were performed in order to obtain an adequately widened ear canal and improved hearing.
In Case 2, the stenosis was due to fracture of both the anterior and posterior bony walls of the medial portion of the ear canal. At surgery, dislocation of the malleus and incus was noted. Drilling and removal of the fractured bone fragments and tympanoplasty allowed adequate widening of the ear canal and improvement of hearing.
In previous reports of acquired stenosis of the external auditory canal, the problems were mostly prevention of re-stenosis or formation of cholesteatoma. In the present two cases, however, prognosis of the stenosis after surgery was rather good, and the important point at surgery was the management of the middle ear disorders.
