Search PubMed⌕ Search

SEARCH · Search PubMed

Results for “Ear, External”

Search indexed PubMed citations on genomics, clinical trials, systematic reviews and public health. Explore titles, authors and supplied subject terms, then open the PubMed record.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 127 records · Page 7Linked to original sources
PubMed1977

Pre-elastic (oxytalan) fibres in the developing elastic cartilage of the external ear of the rat.

During chondrogenesis in the external ear of the rat oxytalan fibres precede the appearance of mature elastic fibres by 6-7 days. The spatial distribution of oxytalan fibres in fetal and neonatal pre-cartilage corresponds to that of the elastic fibres in mature cartilage. These findings support the hypothesis that oxytalan fibres in the pre-cartilage of the external ear of the rat are pre-elastic in nature.

Age Factors↗
PubMed1999

External ear resonance in patients with tympanic membrane perforations.

This study investigated the effects of a tympanic membrane perforation on the external ear resonance. Measurements of external ear resonance using a probe-tube microphone system were performed in 14 patients who had medium to large unilateral tympanic membrane perforations. The contralateral normal ears of these 14 patients served as control. The results showed that there were no significant differences in the peak frequency, peak amplitude and peak sharpness between perforated and normal ears. However, intersubject variability in the resonant frequency was greater in the perforated group. In addition, the resonance curves of these two groups were substantially different. In 10 out of the 14 patients in the perforated group, the resonance curves showed 2-3 prominent peaks separated by valleys of about 10 dB reduced gain. In addition, in 11 out of 14 perforated ears, reduced responses (3.8 dB in average) occurred consistently in the lower frequency region (0.3-2 kHz). Clinically, the abnormal external ear resonance and the larger intersubject variation must be taken into consideration in fitting hearing aids for this group of patients.

Acoustic Stimulation↗
PubMed1988

Malignant tumors of the external ear.

Although only a few of the malignant tumors of the skin develop in the external ear, they are more frequent than one would expect. These tumors recur and develop metastases more often than tumors in other sites. Because of this and because of surrounding vital structures, these tumors have a poor prognosis. Surgical therapy, that is, wide excision, is better than radiotherapy. Many methods for reconstruction of the external ear have been published, and sometimes plastic protheses are acceptable. From 1982 to 1986, 17 patients with malignant tumors of the external ear were treated in our center. There were 15 men and 2 women. The mean age was 73 years. There were 4 basal cell and 12 squamous cell carcinomas, and 1 patient had malignant melanoma of the external ear. Nine of these tumors were on the helix. During the follow-up period, 6 patients had local recurrent disease. In 7 patients, reexcision had to be performed several times after incomplete excision. Six patients are alive without any sign of the disease, and 3 patients died.

Adult↗
PubMed2002

Cavernous hemangioma of the external ear canal.

OBJECTIVE: To document the occurrence of a cavernous hemangioma of the external ear canal and to review the relevant literature. STUDY DESIGN Case report and literature review. METHODS: Review of a patient chart, imaging studies, operative report, and histologic findings. RESULTS: A cavernous hemangioma of the external ear canal not involving the tympanic membrane was surgically excised without complication. This is the third documented cavernous hemangioma of the external ear canal without tympanic membrane involvement in the English literature. Computed tomography scan is invaluable to narrow the differential diagnosis. Complete removal is curative. CONCLUSIONS: Cavernous hemangioma of the external ear canal with or without tympanic membrane involvement is a rare otologic entity amenable to surgical treatment. Temporal bone computed tomography scan imaging is an important preoperative diagnostic tool.

Ear Canal↗
PubMed1990

[Late results of corrective surgery of protruding external ears].

In the period 1974-1984 corrections of the external ear were carried out on 343 patients using the Haecker/Joseph method for flattening and the Converse method for anthelixplasty. Check-ups on 147 patients revealed late results to be "improved to very good" in 92.5% of cases on the basis of metrical data and aesthetic appraisal of the corrected external ear. Provided that there is a firm indication and exact pre-operative diagnosis combined with good surgical technique and post-operative care, these two methods represent well-tried procedures with a high success rate.

Child↗
PubMed2004

Detection of respiratory sounds at the external ear.

Several clinical and ambulatory settings necessitate respiratory monitoring without a mouthpiece or facemask. Several studies have demonstrated the utility of breathing sound measurements performed on the chest or neck to detect airflow. However, there are limitations to skin surface measurements, including susceptibility to external noise and transducer motion. Thus, this two-part study investigated a novel location for breathing sound measurements: the external ear. The first study investigated characteristics of sound transmission from the oropharynx to the external ear in 19 adults (nine males). Broadband noise was directed into the oropharynx through a tube and mouthpiece and measured indirectly via an accelerometer affixed to the cheek. Resultant transmission to the external ear was measured with a microphone inserted into an earplug that provided acoustic isolation from ambient noise. Near-unity coherence estimates (> 0.9) between the sounds recorded at the external ear and the oropharynx were observed up to approximately 800 Hz, indicating a low-frequency region of preferred transmission. In the second study, each of 20 subjects (nine males) breathed through a pneumotachograph at targeted shallow (3.0 mL/s/kg) and tidal (7.5 mL/s/kg) flows normalized to body mass, and the resulting sounds were recorded at the external ear. Recordings during breath hold measured background noise. Shallow and tidal expiratory flows, respectively, produced signal-plus-noise-to-noise [(S + N)/N] ratios of 6.7 +/- 4.1 dB and 14.0 +/- 5.3 dB (mean +/- standard deviation) across all subjects between 150 and 300 Hz. Concurrent inspiration demonstrated (S + N)/N ratios of 6.6 +/- 3.9 dB and 14.9 +/- 6.3 dB. Thus, the external ear shows promise as an anatomic site to detect and monitor breathing in a relatively noninvasive and unobtrusive manner.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Melanoma of the external ear.

AIMS AND BACKGROUND: Melanoma of the external ear is a rare disease, and its management is controversial. To address this problem, we reviewed the data concerning the patients observed at our Institution. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the clinical records of the 20 patients bearing primary ear melanoma observed over a period of about 20 years at the Istituto Nazionale Tumori of Milan. RESULTS: Initial evaluation of the patients revealed 7 stage I, 12 stage II and 1 stage III. The thickness of the tumors varied from 0.39 to 6.62 mm. Fourteen patients underwent a wedge resection of the skin and cartilage with primary closure, and 6 patients had a partial amputation of the ear. In 8 cases the section was performed at about 1 cm from the border of the tumor, in 6 cases at about 0.5 cm, and in 6 cases at more than 1 cm. The average follow-up was 57 months (range, 1-18 years). Since there was no local recurrence, it could not be related to type and extent of the local resection performed. In contrast, the development of metastases was related to tumor thickness. CONCLUSIONS: A conservative excision with margins of 1 cm can be a safe procedure for invasive ear melanoma, irrespective of tumor thickness. Like melanomas of other sites, the prognosis is linked to the thickness of the tumor.

Adult↗
PubMed1999

[Malignant melanoma of external ear: 14 cases report].

OBJECTIVE: To improve the diagnosis and treatment level of malignant melanoma in external ear. METHOD: 14 cases with malignant melanoma of external ear were reported. All patients were treated by surgical excision. RESULT: 13(in 14) cases were followed up. 7 patients were survival with no tumor, the others died. The 5-year survival rate for the whole series was 50.0%. CONCLUSION: The malignant melanoma of external ear has rapid progress and poor prognosis, early detection and treatment are necessary. Extensive excision of malignant melanoma was principle method of the treatment. Recurrent tumor should be treated by combined operation with radiation.

Adult↗
PubMed2001

Changes in external ear resonance after 3 types of surgery in the patients with chronic otitis media.

OBJECTIVE: This study was designed to identify the external ear resonance characteristics of patients with tympanic membrane perforation and to investigate subsequent changes in external ear resonance, depending on the length of the postoperative period and which of 3 different types of operation was performed: tympanoplasty with canal wall-up mastoidectomy, epitympanoplasty, and canal wall-down mastoidectomy. STUDY DESIGN AND SETTING: A total of 227 ears of 188 patients and 96 control ears comprised the study. We measured the gain and frequency of the first peak of external ear resonance with a real ear analyzer. RESULTS: Gain and frequency of the first peak recorded in the preoperative group did not differ from those of the control group. However, negative peaks appeared around 1 to 1.5 kHz in half of these ears. The gain increased markedly in all 3 postoperative groups. The canal wall-down mastoidectomy and epitympanoplasty groups showed significantly lower frequencies compared with the tympanoplasty with canal wall-up mastoidectomy and control groups, but there was no difference between them. The increased gain diminished over time, but the peak gain did not equalize with that of the controls, even after 15 months. CONCLUSIONS: Additional gain should be considered of around 1 to 1.5 kHz for hearing aid users with tympanic membrane perforation. Postoperative changes in external ear resonance should be expected in patients with chronic otitis media, suggesting that fine readjustments of the hearing aid may be necessary.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2001

Two-step external ear canal construction in atresia as part of auricular reconstruction.

OBJECTIVES: One of the common complications of atresia surgery is restenosis of the surgically constructed external ear canal. To avoid this complication, a new two-step technique of creating an external ear canal was developed and evaluated. STUDY DESIGN: Prospective clinical evaluation. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Thirty-six patients with third-degree microtia and aural atresia have been treated this way. In the first step, the canal is drilled into the petrous bone, a Silastic cylinder is inserted and wrapped into pieces of cartilage and bone dust. In the second step several months later, the implant is removed and a slightly smaller tube covered with a split thickness skin graft is inserted. RESULTS: Except the first three patients operated with a slightly different technique, none of the following 33 patients showed a severe restenosis. Instead, all had a nice, smooth external ear canal. CONCLUSION: With this two-step technique of creating a new external ear canal in atresia, we could avoid one of the major complications of this kind of surgery. The external ear canal is either necessary for the reconstructed middle ear or it can be used to adapt a (behind or in the ear) hearing aid. By integrating this technique into a three-step concept for auricular reconstruction, the patient does not need any additional operation, and his or her rehabilitation from ear malformation can be enhanced.

Adult↗
PubMed2005

Ossification of the external ear: a case report and review of the literature.

A rare case of idiopathic bilateral ossification of the auricular cartilage and cartilage of the external ear canal is reported. The hardening and thickening of the external ear canals with subsequent narrowing and impaired exposure resulted in symptomatic hearing loss because of the recurrent impediment of inspissated cerumen, the removal of which finally became impossible. Surgical resection of the cartilage external ear canal and tragus was indicated to provide a more permanent treatment of conductive hearing loss. Histological examination revealed complete replacement of the fibroelastic cartilage by normal bone structures showing Haversian canals and bone marrow. The present case report is unique because of the involvement of both the auricles and external ear canals, the symptomatic hearing loss and the surgical treatment to relieve symptoms.

Audiometry↗
PubMed1990

A method for repositioning the external ear.

The malposition of an otherwise normal-appearing external ear is not uncommon in certain craniofacial syndromes. This paper presents a 10-year experience of 14 patients who underwent external ear repositioning. In this technique, a posterior incision is used to mobilize surrounding soft tissues circumferentially around the external auditory canal, which then serves as an axis for anterior rotation and elevation. Elevation of up to 8 mm and rotation up to 30 degrees can be achieved. Further elevation is limited by the ensuing constriction and resistance of the external auditory canal. More rotation can be achieved with a Z-plasty transposition of an inferiorly based postauricular skin flap.

Child↗
PubMed1991

The external ear and the tympanic membrane. A three-dimensional study.

The study of the anatomical variations of the external ear is important for the ear surgeon who assesses the middle ear in this way. Furthermore, the design of insert earmoulds for use with either hearing aids or portable radios requires a better knowledge of the shape of the external ear. We studied the external ear structures and the drumhead in 140 cadavers with no previous history of ear pathology. A silicone resin was used, employing a dental impression technique. These permanent impressions were analysed by means of an operating microscope. Different parameters were studied, to determine the average dimensions of the structures. The clinical significance of these results is discussed.

Adult↗
PubMed2006

Congenital atresia of the external ear and tinnitus: a new syndrome.

Congenital atresia of the external ears and severe tinnitus has been reported by two patients to be contralateral to the atretic ear. The use of the nuclear medicine imaging technique of single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) of brain has demonstrated hypoperfusion in brain areas supplied by the middle cerebral artery on the side of the atretic ear. Ultrahigh-frequency audiometry (UHFA) has revealed a bilateral loss of hearing greater than expected for the age of affected patients. Quantitative electroencephalography (QEEG) has shown a significant central nervous system electrical dysfunction correlated with the SPECT of brain findings. One case is reported in detail at this time. Completion of the medical audiological tinnitus patient protocol, including SPECT of brain, UHFA, and QEEG, accurately established the clinical tinnitus diagnosis of predominantly a central-type tinnitus, a clinical hypothesis that the medical significance of the tinnitus is a "soft" sign of cerebrovascular disease, and provided a rationale for treatment directed to a presumed ischemia of brain based on a receptor-targeted therapy targeted to the GABA-A receptor, resulting in significant tinnitus relief. Questions that have arisen include (1) the incidence of occurrence of hypoperfusion of the middle cerebral artery in congenital atresia patients; (2) implications and long-term consequences of this finding in this patient population for development of cerebrovascular disease; (3) brain plasticity for tinnitus relief (i.e., neuronal reprogramming, particularly in response to treatment recommendations for complaints of the cochleovestibular system in general and specifically for tinnitus); (4) the clinical significance of the UHFA thresholds of bilateral hearing loss greater than expected for the age of the patient; and (5) whether congenital atresia of the external ear may be part of a syndrome that includes hypoperfusion in brain areas supplied by the middle cerebral artery on the side of the atretic ear, ultra-high-frequency bilateral loss of hearing greater than expected for the age of the patient, and significant central nervous system electrical dysfunction. As far as we can determine, these findings, highlighted by the brain SPECT, have not previously been reported in patients with congenital atresia of the external ear.

Adult↗
PubMed2004

Keratosis obturans and external ear canal cholesteatoma: how and why we should distinguish between these conditions.

Keratosis obturans and external ear canal cholesteatomas have been considered as separate entities for the last 20 years, after being regarded as variations of the same disease for at least 87 years. While both disorders are distinct, they do have some overlapping characteristics which may make it difficult to reach a definite diagnosis. This review explores the diagnostic dilemmas which may arise, and discusses the classification, aetiology, pathogenesis and management of these conditions. We concur that external ear canal cholesteatoma and keratosis obturans are different conditions and conclude that the presence of osteonecrosis and focal overlying epithelial loss are the most reliable features favouring the diagnosis of external ear canal cholesteatoma over keratosis obturans. Furthermore, whilst keratosis obturans can be managed successfully by regular aural toilet, external ear canal cholesteatoma may require surgical intervention depending on the extent of the disease.

Cholesteatoma↗
PubMed1977

Effect of systemic antibiotics on the microbial flora of the external ear canal in hospitalized children.

The effect of antibiotic therapy and hospitalization on the external ear canal flora was investigated in 131 children. Fifty-eight percent of the patients receiving antibiotic therapy had Gram-negative bacilli or yeasts in their external ear canal, compared with 17% of the patients who were hospitalized for ten days or longer and only 3% of the patients who were hospitalized for short periods. Antibiotic therapy is the major factor in determining the colonization rate of the external ear canal with potentially pathogenic flora. Children under 1 year of age seem to be the most susceptible group to this shift of flora.

Anti-Bacterial Agents↗
PubMed1993

Bacterial flora in the external ear canal and in induced cholesteatoma in the Mongolian gerbil.

We report on the bacterial flora of the external ear canal and of induced aural cholesteatoma in 14 Mongolian gerbils (Meriones unguiculatus). In the control, nonmanipulated external ear canal, gram-positive and gram-negative organisms were isolated. In the contents of the cholesteatoma sac, only monomicrobial, gram-negative isolates were found; in each animal they were different from the isolates from the nonmanipulated external ear canal. Obligate anaerobes were absent in all cases. Ligation of the external ear canal in the left ear provoked cholesteatoma in all cases.

Animals↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Ultrasonographic evaluation of the external ear canal and tympanic membrane in dogs.

Ultrasonographic imaging of the canine external ear canal, tympanic membrane, and tympanic bulla was described in five healthy beagle dogs before and after infusion of saline into the ear canal. Saline served as an acoustic window. With this method, the external ear canal, and tympanic bulla were visible in the same imaging plane and the integrity of the tympanic membrane could be evaluated indirectly by confirming an intact tympanic membrane, which appeared at the end of the ear canal as a hyperechoic line with reverberation. Experimentally, perforated tympanic membrane could be evaluated by identifying anechoic saline in the tympanic bulla lumen. The air and fluid-filled tympanic bulla were also visualized. Ultrasonography with saline as an acoustic window appears to be helpful for the evaluation of the external ear canal, tympanic membrane, and tympanic bulla and it may have the potential to be a useful clinical tool in evaluation of integrity of the tympanic membrane.

Animals↗