Clinical Management Strategies for Acquired External Auditory Canal Stenosis/Atresia from Otitis Externa
CHEN Yu
YAO Linli
CHEN Pei
Abstract：Acquired stenosis or atresia of the external auditory canal is a rare ear disease,primarily caused by inflammation,which accounts for over 50%of cases.Repeated infection leads to inflammation associated fibrous proliferation in the ear canal and eardrum-the primary pathophysiological mechanism of this disease.Recent theories indicate that certain systemic or idiopathic diseases may contribute to the development of acquired external auditory canal stenosis and atresia.The disease presents different clinical features at various stages,mainly manifesting as recurrent otorrhea,tinnitus,hearing loss,ear fullness and blockage,itchiness,among others,and can lead to cholesteatoma in long-term.Diagnosis is straightforward with endoscopy and temporal bone CT scan.Surgical treatment is the main approach.However,controversies remain regarding timing of surgery,choice of surgical techniques and long-term outcomes.Following surgery,there is a significant short term reduction in air-bone gap,but long-term prognosis is often less than ideal with restenosis as the most common post-surgery complication,and a significant increase in long-term rate of re-atresia,necessitating continuous follow-up.
Keywords：post-inflammatoryacquired stenosis external ear canalacquired atresia external ear canal
Publication Date：2025-06-15
Online Publishing Date：2025-08-15(First online date of this platform, not the publication date of the document)
Pages：6( 486-491 )