Keratosis obturans is a disease of the external auditory meatus in which keratinaceous debris accumulate and form a plug in the ear canal, thereby causing occlusion and widening of the bony component [1] [2]. This rare disorder was previously considered as a variation of cholesteatoma of the external auditory canal (CEAC) but is now regarded as a distinct condition [1]. While the etiology is not fully understood, keratosis obturans is classified as either inflammatory, which is associated with a recent acute infection or silent, which does not have a predisposing event [3]. The estimated incidence is 4 to 5 cases per 1000 patients with ear complaints [3].

This disorder occurs predominantly in younger individuals [1] [4] who manifest with acute bilateral ear pain and conductive hearing loss [1] [5]. Furthermore, discharge is not a frequent symptom in these patients [4] [6]. Moreover, the cases are overall healthy [5]. Additionally, keratosis obturans is associated with bronchiectasis and sinusitis [1] [7].

Complications

There are a few incidences in the literature describing facial nerve palsy in patients with keratosis obturans [5] [8] [9]. This neurologic sequela may develop secondary to inflammation [5] or bone erosion [8] [9], of which the latter is not a feature of keratosis obturans [1].

Physical exam

Otoscopy typically reveals an occluding mass in the ear canal [10]. Additionally, tuning fork [5] and pure tone audiometry (PTA) [10] are performed to test and confirm conductive hearing loss.

The victim should be evaluated for neurological deficits such as facial nerve palsy. Additionally, a full head, neck, and oropharynx exam should be completed.

• Respiratory Distress

  When acidosis conditions set in—as a result of chronic dehydration, environmental toxicities, untreated sepsis of the jaw or teeth, upper respiratory distress, intestinal infections, or from infected implanted prostheses—the EAC keratin layer often begins [omicsonline.org]

• Hypertension

  In addition, it is often found to be co-occurring with other health conditions, such as tooth sepsis, long-term acid reflux and use of acid reflux medications, hypertension, gout, high triglycerides, IBS, and rheumatoid and osteoarthritis conditions [ [omicsonline.org]

  Clinically, a picket fence fever pattern is typical and some patients present with signs of intracranial hypertension (see p. 235). [neupsykey.com]

• Metallic Taste

  A case of keratosis obturans is described in which the principal symptom was a metallic taste and the main finding was extensive erosion of the hypotympanum with exposure of the facial nerve and the annulus of the tympanic membrane. [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]

  Cheesman Medicine The Journal of Laryngology & Otology 2003 A case of keratosis obturans is described in which the principal symptom was a metallic taste and the main finding was extensive erosion of the hypotympanum with exposure of the facial nerve [semanticscholar.org]

  Patients with Keratosis obliterans comes usually with pain and hearing loss and can also be accompanied by symptoms such as metallic taste. Patients can come without interruption ears but only with impaired only metallic taste. [dayfres.blogspot.com]

• Aphthous Ulceration

  When I examined him, I found an aphthous ulcer over left to... Tori are bony outgrowth from hard palate (commonly) and also from mandible. They rarely cause any trouble and need to be left as such. ... [drajayjain.com]

• Furunculosis

  Multiple authors postulated that KO etiopathogenesis could be related to bronchiectasis, seborrheic dermatitis, eczema, and furunculosis [6-8] with subepithelial chronic inflammation [9]. [clinmedjournals.org]

  The pathogenesis of KO remains obscure, although it has been associated with eczema, seborrhoeic dermatitis, or furunculosis. [hindawi.com]

• Yellow Nails

  Ear Involvement in the Yellow Nail Syndrome. Chest, Vol. 98, Issue. 6, p. 1534. CrossRef Google Scholar Corbridge, Rogan John Michaels, Leslie and Wright, Tony 1996. Epithelial migration in keratosis obturans. [cambridge.org]

• Otalgia

  Classically, it is reported to present with severe otalgia, conductive deafness and global widening of the canal. [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]

  A 61-year-old male had intermittent otorrhea and otalgia for several months in the left ear. The diagnosis of otitis externa was made by an otolaryngologist, and topical medications were applied. [jstage.jst.go.jp]

  Classically, it is reported to present with severe otalgia, conductive deafness and global widening of the canal. The frequency of keratosis obturans has been estimated as 4-5 in 1000 new otological cases. [austinpublishinggroup.com]

• Normal Hearing

  Symptoms/signs Severe otalgia,conductive hearing loss, younger ages, occasionally bilateral,associated with lung & sinus disease, can present with a plugged feeling. Chronic otorrhoea with normal hearing, itchiness, or pain. [shekharkrishnadebnath.wordpress.com]

  hearing in the left ear and mild high-frequency sensorineural hearing loss at 6 kHz and 8 kHz in the right ear ranging from 30 to 40 dB. [indianjotol.org]

• Tampon Use

  The most important thing is to make- the ear canal is shaped like a funnel so the ear canal dry spontaneously can be more Assured. keratosis appointed Zalf ear tampon use betadine. [dayfres.blogspot.com]

• Neglect

  This case demonstrates dramatically the extensive erosion of bone that can occur in a patient with neglected keratosis obturans. [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]

  Regular follow up is necessary to prevent recurrences or EACC development in long standing or neglected cases. References 1. Edward D. McCoul, Mathew B Hanson. [indianjotol.org]

  Neglected keratosis obturans causing facial nerve palsy. J Laryngol Otol. 2006;120:784-5.,88 Al-Juboori AN. Keratosis obturans: a rare cause of facial nerve palsy. [scielo.br]

  Similar articles Neglected keratosis obturans causing facial nerve palsy. Glynn F, Keogh IJ, Burns H. Glynn F, et al. J Laryngol Otol. 2006 Sep;120(9):784-5. doi: 10.1017/S0022215106001137. J Laryngol Otol. 2006. [pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]

• Unilateral Facial Weakness

  In our patient, his main complaint was severe otalgia and otorrhea which was followed by unilateral facial weakness and hearing loss. [bjorl.org]

• Altered Mental Status

  General assessment to avoid missed on the assessment of fever, altered mental status and other assessments that may provide clues towards complications. [dayfres.blogspot.com]

The clinical presentation should raise suspicion for keratosis obturans and CEAC, in which a workup consisting of the patient history, physical exam, and appropriate tests will help determine the diagnosis.

Imaging

Key imaging modalities include high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) scan of the temporal bone, which will display the soft-tissue accumulation residing in the external ear canal(s) [5] [11] and dilation of the walls of the canal [2] [11]. These findings are typically bilateral in people with keratosis obturans but unilateral in CEAC [12]. Moreover, imaging of the external auditory canal with axial CT reveals no necrosis or bone erosion [1]. Very importantly, keratosis obturans does not involve osseous erosion of the canal as seen with CEAC [2] [12].

Pathology

Keratosis obturans is associated with an enlarged ear canal, epithelial hyperplasia, and subepithelial inflammation [13]. Moreover, histopathological analysis of the debris reveals lamellar keratinous elements [1].

Other

In addition to performing a complete physical exam including a focus on the head and neck region, testing with the tuning fork and PTA are important to evaluate hearing loss [5] [10].

The clinical symptoms, pathologic processes, and treatment are outlined and compared. Case reports are presented to illustrate the features of these two diseases. [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]

Treatment: The treatment of keratosis obturans includes the mechanical removal of the epidermal plug and periodic cleansing of the canal. Granulation tissue may be managed by removal, cauterization, or the use of topical steroid drops. [medigoo.com]

Treatment Removal of plug Local treatment of granulations Biopsy to exclude malignancy/necrotizing otitis externa. May need continued cleanings. Surgically remove cholesteatoma & abnormal bone, Graft with fascia Biopsy. [shekharkrishnadebnath.wordpress.com]

A licensed medical professional should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. [thnm.adam.com]

Outlook (Prognosis) Regular follow-ups and cleaning by the provider are important to avoid infections. In some people, lifetime cleaning may be needed. [healthing.ca]

CT well-defined soft tissue mass within the bony EAC which may diffusely enlarge the canal with no bony erosion, as opposed to EAC cholesteatoma tympanic canal is usually spared but may be slightly thickened Treatment and prognosis Usually treated by [radiopaedia.org]

Etiology: Keratosis obturans is postulated to occur due to abnormal epithelial migration of ear canal skin. The movement of the surface epithelium appears to be reversed in these patients. [drtbalu.co]

{THIS IS PRESENT IN external auditory canal cholesteatoma} commonly seen b/w 5 & 20 years etiology: due to defect in epithelial migration increased production of keratin debris both Clinical features : generally BILATERAL & is PEARLY WHITE MASS. [lessons4medicos.blogspot.com]

Etiology The exact etiology is not known. It appears to be result of abnormal shedding of the epithelium and failure of migration of the cell from the surface of the tympanic membrane, which leads to accumulation of a mass. [dict.eudic.net]

Definitions, differential diagnosis, and epidemiology. Am J Surg Pathol 1996; 20(1):103-111. ‏ الصفحة 91 - Everett LA, Glaser B, Beck JC, Idol JR. Buchs A, Heyman M, Adawi F, Hazani E, Nassir E. [books.google.com]

Definitions, differential diagnosis, and epidemiology. Am J Surg Pathol 1996; 20(1):103-111. ‎ Seite 91 - Everett LA, Glaser B, Beck JC, Idol JR. Buchs A, Heyman M, Adawi F, Hazani E, Nassir E. [books.google.de]

Embryology and epidemiology of microtia. Facial Plast Surg. 2009;25(3):145-148. Castilla EE, Orioli IM. Prevalence rates of microtia in South America. Int J Epidemiol. 1986;15(3):364-368. Bhat SM, Vuppala R. [pacificaudiologygroup.com]

Epidemiology Otosclerosis can be divided into histologic and clinical subtypes. [neupsykey.com]

Epidemiology Otitis externa is a common presenting complaint in UK general practice, with studies suggesting that it accounts for around just over 1% of all GP consultations. [patient.info]

The disease is sometimes associated with bronchiectasis and chronic sinusitis Pathophysiology There are two different forms of the pathophysiology of keratosis obliturans or obliterans. [dayfres.blogspot.com]

Pathophysiology Keratosis obturans is thought to occur due to abnormal epithelial migration of ear canal skin. The movement of the surface epithelium appears to be reversed in these patients. [wikidoc.org]

Pathophysiology (Fig. 4.13B) The origin of SCC of the temporal bone is not well established. [neupsykey.com]

Tympanic membrane and Cerumen Pathophysiology Integrity of tympanic membrane was found to have a role to play in leading to impacted ear wax but none in the production of ear wax. [ispub.com]

Another pathophysiologic hypothesis suggests that accumulation of keratin debris induces changes of cellular proliferation in the EAC ( 10 ). [ajnr.org]

Increased awareness of these uncommon conditions is warranted to prompt appropriate investigation and prevent iatrogenic complications such as facial nerve injury. [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]

Writing refarat will discuss more deeply from the understanding to the management of this disease which aims to prevent the diagnosis of this disease in the future by the treating doctor. [ejurnal.methodist.ac.id]

Comparative Study External auditory canal cholesteatoma and keratosis obturans: the role of imaging in preventing facial nerve injury Edward D McCoul et al. Ear Nose Throat J. 2011 Dec. [pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]

Patients need to attend ENT clinics for regular micro-suction of their ears to minimise the discomfort, prevent infection and help them to hear better with or without hearing aids. [gavinpublishers.com]

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8. Glynn F, Keogh IJ, Burns H. Neglected keratosis obturans causing facial nerve palsy. J Laryngol Otol. 2006;120(9):784-785.
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13. Naiberg J, Berger G, Hawke M. The pathologic features of keratosis obturans and cholesteatoma of the external auditory canal. Arch Otolaryngol. 1984;110(10):690–693.