Presentation
Presentation ReelDx Pearls Diagnosis Treatment Media Patient will present as → an 18-month-old with ear pain and otorrhea. Otoscopic examination reveals a small insect impacted in the ear canal which is still moving. [smartypance.com]
History, presenting symptoms and signs of patients with a clinical diagnosis of foreign body in ear, nose and throat were recorded. [medical-dictionary.thefreedictionary.com]
Case Presentation: A 4-year-old girl Patient was brought to tertiary care hospital attached with medical college two day after the insertion of foreign body with complaints of severe earache, something present in the ear and history of bleeding from the [scopemed.org]
Other objects that can absorb water and swell inside the canal, such as popcorn or beans, may present with pain or ear drainage, and can present specific challenges with removal. [southlakeent.com]
The mode of presentation, the manner of discovery and how it was managed successfully were highlighted. [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]
Entire Body System
- Pain
Presentation ReelDx Pearls Diagnosis Treatment Media Patient will present as → an 18-month-old with ear pain and otorrhea. Otoscopic examination reveals a small insect impacted in the ear canal which is still moving. [smartypance.com]
Pain, inflammation, and irritation: The skin in the ear canal and the eardrum is very sensitive. Any inflammation or injury is usually readily apparent due to pain or irritation. [medicinenet.com]
You should also get medical help if there’s pain, hearing loss, or discomfort after the object is removed. [webmd.com]
The ear can then be worked on without much pain being experienced by the patient. [med.uth.edu]
- Swelling
The ear curette won’t work to get around and the kernels are smooth and hard to grasp and might cause trauma with swelling or bleeding. We quickly excluded irrigation because the kernel might swell more. [aliem.com]
[…] sensitive bony portion lined with thin vascular skin and periosteum Outer 1/3 is cartilaginous portion Cartilaginous/ bony junction is point of narrowing Abrasion of the ear canal may lead to bleeding & pain Tympanic membrane may rupture Canal erythema, swelling [fprmed.com]
Redness, swelling, or discharge (blood, inflammatory fluid, or pus) are the main signs of injury to the ear. Small children often scratch or rub the ear repeatedly. [rxlist.com]
When seeds are inserted into ear or nose they have a tendency to swell on exposure to moisture. Aural syringing should not be resorted to as it will cause rapid swelling of the seed within the ear canal, making their removal difficult. [sites.google.com]
- Inflammation
Pain, inflammation, and irritation: The skin in the ear canal and the eardrum is very sensitive. Any inflammation or injury is usually readily apparent due to pain or irritation. [rxlist.com]
ALERTS Button Batteries need immediate removal Sharp object such as glass can lacerate canal Live insects can cause extreme discomfort Food items absorb moisture which can lead to inflammation/infection AGE Typical age between 3 and 8 years DIFFERENTIAL [urgentcarepeds.org]
Residual barbed insect legs can lead to inflammation and damage. Ensure that no other orifice has a Foreign Body. Kids are tricky. Check their other ear and the nostrils!! [pedemmorsels.com]
Generally, the symptoms can range from little to no discomfort to a lot of inflammation, pain, and discharge. The longer the object goes unrecognized, the more inflammation can occur. Hearing loss can be present due to blockage of the ear canal. [pediatric-ent.com]
- Fever
Common symptoms of a foreign body in the ear may include ear pain, a change in hearing, drainage from the ear, fever, fussiness and increased crying (in young children), and irritability. [walgreens.com]
Other symptoms may include ear pain, irritation, itching, fever, decreased hearing, foul odor and bleeding (if the object is infected or sharp). [humanitas.net]
Signs of a problem include changes in your child’s hearing, pain, fever, and blood or pus oozing out of your baby’s ear. Consult a doctor for any concerns about your child’s hearing and ears. [smartparenting.com.ph]
If Deeply embedded FB (eg, needle or toothpick in foot) FB has a barb (eg, fishhook) FB is a BB FB is causing severe pain You are reluctant to take out FB You can’t remove FB Site of sliver removal looks infected (redness, red streaks, swollen, pus) Fever [healthychildren.org]
If you have a swollen (inflamed) ear that's red and is displaced outward, fever, discharge, bleeding, or increasing pain; see a doctor urgently. If the object in the ear is a battery, seek medical attention immediately. [rxlist.com]
- Foreign Body Aspiration
We have discussed many topics with respect to the pediatric foreign body ( Aspirated FB, Nasal FB, Button Batteries in the nose, Esophageal Button Batteries ), but let us look at the other common entity – the Ear Foreign Body. [pedemmorsels.com]
Respiratoric
- Cough
The following symptoms may indicate that the foreign body is still causing an airway obstruction: Stridor (a high-pitched sound usually heard when the child breathes) Cough that gets worse Child is unable to speak Pain in the throat area or chest Hoarse [stanfordchildrens.org]
Choking: If an object is stuck in the airway, it can cause choking and symptoms such as coughing and wheezing. Breathing problems: An object blocking an airway may cause difficulty breathing. [healthline.com]
However, they may cause impaired hearing, pain, purulent or bloody drainage from the ear or chronic cough/hiccups (which is rare). [pemcincinnati.com]
Some people may also cough or clear their throat because of stimulation of a nerve in the ear canal that also has a branch in the throat. [msafe.in]
- Hoarseness
The following symptoms may indicate that the foreign body is still causing an airway obstruction: Stridor (a high-pitched sound usually heard when the child breathes) Cough that gets worse Child is unable to speak Pain in the throat area or chest Hoarse [stanfordchildrens.org]
[…] nonobstructing or partially obstructing foreign bodies in the throat often present with a history of choking, dysphagia, odynophagia, or dysphonia. 13 Pharyngeal foreign bodies should also be suspected in patients with undiagnosed coughing, stridor, or hoarseness [aafp.org]
- Snoring
Other signs and symptoms include the following: Epistaxis Pain Irritation Chronic sinusitis Unilateral nare obstruction New-onset snoring Sneezing Wheezing Stridor Unilateral facial swelling A retrospective study by Schuldt et al of 12,887 children and [emedicine.medscape.com]
The presence of a foreign body should always be suspected in patients with a chronic unilateral discharge, unexplained pain or suggestive symptoms such as sneezing, snoring or mouth breathing. [emj.bmj.com]
- Common Cold
cold) are the major aetiological factor in foreign bodies in the ear and nose. [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]
Gastrointestinal
- Choking
[…] to avoid a choking emergency. [stanfordchildrens.org]
Inhaled or swallowed foreign bodies may cause choking or bowel obstruction and may require medical care. [icdlist.com]
Choking: If an object is stuck in the airway, it can cause choking and symptoms such as coughing and wheezing. Breathing problems: An object blocking an airway may cause difficulty breathing. [healthline.com]
- Vomiting
Additionally, irritation to the ear canal can also make you nauseated, which could cause you to vomit. Some people may also cough or clear their throat because of stimulation of a nerve in the ear canal that also has a branch in the throat. [msafe.in]
Patients may be in significant discomfort and complain of nausea or vomiting if a live insect is in the ear canal. Patients may present with hearing loss or sense of fullness. Physical The physical examination is the main diagnostic tool. [emedicine.medscape.com]
Musculoskeletal
- Fracture
After a blood clot was aspirated during examination of the ear with the patient under GA, the bead was found lodged tightly and completely within the middle ear, medial to the handle of the malleus, which had been fractured medially. [bcmj.org]
Ears
- Otalgia
[…] to inflammation/infection AGE Typical age between 3 and 8 years DIFFERENTIAL DIAGNOSIS Cerumen impaction Abrasion to ear canal Otitis Externa Tumor EVALUATION History Patient may admit to placing something in ear Parents witness placement Symptoms of otalgia [urgentcarepeds.org]
Heart-shaped beads (aural foreign bodies), one removed from each of the external auditory canals of a girl, four years of age A girl, four years of age, presented with a one-week history of right-sided otalgia and otorrhoea. [racgp.org.au]
Foreign bodies are inserted into the ear more commonly by children than adults. [3] There are other clinical features apart from otitis externa attributable to a foreign body in the external meatus such as deafness, tinnitus, and otalgia. [3] The most [indianjotol.org]
Acute otalgia during sleep (live insect in the ear): a case report. Agri. 2009 Jan. 21(1):36-8. [Medline]. Davies PH, Benger JR. Foreign bodies in the nose and ear: a review of techniques for removal in the emergency department. [emedicine.medscape.com]
- Tinnitus
An unusual cause of tinnitus September 19, 2016 | Po-Jun Chen, MD; Hsin-Chien Chen, MD, PhD Live insects found in the outer ear canal should be immobilized or killed before removal. [entjournal.com]
Foreign bodies are inserted into the ear more commonly by children than adults. [3] There are other clinical features apart from otitis externa attributable to a foreign body in the external meatus such as deafness, tinnitus, and otalgia. [3] The most [indianjotol.org]
Others may present with ear pain, discharge, bleeding, hearing loss or tinnitus [ 4, 5 ]. The goal of removal is to preserve the integrity of the ear while the foreign body is being removed. Removal may be done with or without general anaesthesia. [panafrican-med-journal.com]
- Ear Fullness
[…] with insect foreign body Hearing loss Sensation of ear fullness Unilateral otorrhea Bleeding Self-reported by patient or parent Physical Examination Otorrhea of affected side may be present Direct visualization with otoscope may reveal full view of foreign [fprmed.com]
In many cases, patients with foreign body in the ear are asymptomatic, and in children the foreign body is often an incidental finding, (3,4) other patients may present with pain, hearing loss, symptom of otitis media, or a sense of ear fullness. [jemds.com]
In many cases, patients with foreign bodies in the ear are asymptomatic, and in children the foreign body is often an incidental finding. 1, 19 Other patients may present with pain, symptoms of otitis media, hearing loss, or a sense of ear fullness. [aafp.org]
- Ear Discharge
Maggots: Flies are attracted to foul ear discharge and lay eggs. These eggs hatch into maggots. Maggots cause severe pain with foul discharge. Chloroform water is instilled into the ear to kill the maggots. [specialist-ent.com]
In rural areas of developing countries a dead housefly or maggots is commonly seen in the ears of children having ear discharge due to CSOM. [jemds.com]
Common ear FBs include cotton wool, bean, bead, paper/plastic, eraser, insect, paddy seed, and popcorn kernel. Patients usually present with earache, aural fullness, or ear discharge. [scielo.br]
- Hearing Impairment
However, they may cause impaired hearing, pain, purulent or bloody drainage from the ear or chronic cough/hiccups (which is rare). [pemcincinnati.com]
Face, Head & Neck
- Epistaxis
This, in turn, can cause mucosal ulceration and erosion into blood vessels, producing epistaxis. Moreover, the swelling can obstruct sinus drainage and lead to secondary sinusitis. [emedicine.medscape.com]
Take Away Points: Referral to ENT will be necessary if ED extraction fails, extraction causes uncontrolled epistaxis or if the foreign body is aspirated. [emdocs.net]
Neurologic
- Dizziness
Follow-up A repeat exam is recommended within a week if you are experiencing no difficulties, and immediately should you experience discomfort, bleeding, drainage, dizziness, or significant hearing loss. [methodistsouthlake.com]
Earwax has a purpose, but it can buildup and cause problems like itching, hearing loss, dizziness, ringing in the ears, and pain. [medicinenet.com]
Whatever the type of object; if it has become lodged within your ear and is causing a blockage then this will cause dizziness (your balance will be affected), discomfort and a degree of hearing loss. [medic8.com]
If the wax impaction is causing pain, decreased hearing or dizziness, a doctor can irrigate (flush) the wax out of the ear gently with warm water and peroxide. [rxlist.com]
- Vertigo
Uncommon but potential otologic complications of ECFB removal include ossicular chain damage, sensorineural hearing loss, vertigo, facial nerve paralysis, and meningitis. [bcmj.org]
A patient with a penetrating foreign body who exhibits vertigo, ataxia, facial nerve damage, or hearing impairment should be urgently evaluated by an otolaryngologist. [pemcincinnati.com]
An intact TM should be confirmed by pneumatoscopy beforehand, and the irrigation solution warmed to body temperature to prevent vertigo. [racgp.org.au]
Vertigo Tympanic membrane perforation Facial Nerve Paralysis. [jemds.com]
- Headache
The patient experienced intermittent vertigo for 2 months and headaches for 3 months post-op. At that time the patient still had mild to moderate conductive hearing loss in the left ear. [bcmj.org]
Workup
[…] from children spending more time indoors on rainy days, with greater opportunity to put a small toy in their ear or nose. [6] Differential Diagnosis Abrasions to ear canal Cerumen impaction Hematoma Otitis externa Tumor Tympanic membrane perforation Workup [emedicine.medscape.com]
Colonoscopy
- Polyps
Bleeding may indicate a laceration of the canal skin or that the foreign body is actually a middle ear polyp. Insects in the canal are most annoying while alive. [merckmanuals.com]
Differential Diagnosis The following differentials should be included in the diagnosis of NFB: Sinusitis Polyps Tumor Upper respiratory infection Unilateral choanal atresia Complications The most common complication of NFBs is minor epistaxis. [emedicine.medscape.com]
Treatment
Treatment of Aural Foreign Bodies in Children. Pediatrics 1998;101(4):638-640 2.Fritz S, Kelen GD Foreign Bodies of the External Auditory Canal. [urgentcarepeds.org]
Medical treatment of Foreign Body in the Ear The necessity to see a medical professional depends on the object’s location and its nature. [methodistsouthlake.com]
Treatment for foreign bodies in the ear The treatment for foreign bodies in the ear is prompt removal of the object by your child's physician. [stanfordchildrens.org]
Presentation ReelDx Pearls Diagnosis Treatment Media Patient will present as → an 18-month-old with ear pain and otorrhea. Otoscopic examination reveals a small insect impacted in the ear canal which is still moving. [smartypance.com]
[…] foreign body Diagnostic testing: Otoscopi visualization Laboratory evaluation Not needed Differential Diagnosis Tumor or mass Cerumen Otomycosis and exostosis may be some considerations Congenital Cholesteatoma Acute otitis media Therapeutics Acute Treatment [fprmed.com]
Prognosis
[…] instructions should include: Anticipatory Guidance Analgesics as necessary PMD follow up in 2-3 days to asses for healing Activity No swimming or getting water into canal until ear is healed Signs and Symptoms to return Ear drainage Worsening ear pain PROGNOSIS [urgentcarepeds.org]
[…] care provider or otolaryngologist may be appropriate if extraction complicated by Canal laceration Tympanic membrane perforation Canal wall hematoma, or Otitis externa Otitis externa and tympanic membrane perforation should be treated appropriately Prognosis [fprmed.com]
Prognosis (Outlook) Most people recover completely after having a foreign object removed from the ear. If the skin of the ear canal has been injured, antibiotic drops are frequently prescribed to prevent infection. [emedicinehealth.com]
Etiology
[…] object such as insect, organic, or inorganic matter in external auditory canal Synopsis Relatively common foreign body complaint in primary care office, urgent care, and emergency room settings May be asymptomatic or an incidental finding Pathophysiology Etiology [fprmed.com]
Epidemiology
Objectives: To date, no population-based epidemiological studies have estimated the association between physical workload (standing or walking, carrying heavy loads, carrying people, repetitive hand or arm movements, wearing protective equipment) and [dbpia.co.kr]
Common removal methods include use of forceps, water irrigation, and suction catheter. [ 1 ] Epidemiology Foreign bodies of the ear are relatively common. [patient.info]
Aural and nasal foreign bodies in children - epidemiology and correlation with hyperkinetic disorders, developmental disorders and congenital malformations. Int J Pediatr Otorhinolaryngol. 2019 Mar. 118:165-9. [Medline]. [emedicine.medscape.com]
The accessibility to modern day communication devices and ammunitions has equally changed the epidemiological outlook of aural foreign bodies among children. [panafrican-med-journal.com]
Aetiology and epidemiology Patients presenting with foreign bodies in the nose or ear are predominantly children in the 2 to 8 age group. 2 Foreign bodies in the nose are less common than those in the ear and occur almost exclusively in children. [emj.bmj.com]
Pathophysiology
Definition Foreign object such as insect, organic, or inorganic matter in external auditory canal Synopsis Relatively common foreign body complaint in primary care office, urgent care, and emergency room settings May be asymptomatic or an incidental finding Pathophysiology [fprmed.com]
Prevention
There is need for more public education of parents and care givers so as to prevent this avoidable injury. [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]
Mostly non preventable Discourage children from putting anything in the ear Patient Education Describe foreign body in the ear Common foreign bodies Signs/Symptoms Available treatment options & complication Advise on first aid techniques Use gravity [fprmed.com]
How to Prevent Foreign Body in Ear Curiosity and exploration of one's body is a natural stage of development. Teaching a child that it is not good to put anything into the ear may prevent some of these mishaps. [emedicinehealth.com]
Once the foreign body has been removed, an antibiotic drop along with antibiotics by mouth may be needed to prevent serious infection of the ear. [med.uth.edu]