A clinical study of 61 cases of tumorous disease in external ear canal: diagnosis of tumor

Abstract

Various kinds of diseases, such as malignant tumors, benign tumors, cholesteatoma, and chronic inflammation, arise in the external ear canal, but there have been few statistical reports of external ear canal diseases. It often takes a long time to diagnose malignant tumors. We analyzed 61 cases in which patients were examined because of suspicion of a tumor at Osaka University Hospital between April 2008 and March 2015. The diseases were as follows: malignant tumor (23), benign tumor (15), chronic inflammation (granulation) (13), nevus (4), verruca(2), and other diseases (4). Otorrhea and bone erosion on CT were statistically higher in malignant tumors than benign diseases. Among the 61 cases, patients underwent surgery in 34. We compared preoperative diagnosis derived from FNA or incisional biopsy with postoperative diagnosis. In one case, postoperative diagnosis was different from preoperative diagnosis of FNA. Thus, incisional biopsy before surgery is recommended to determine the treatment.