Pathological lesions of the external auditory meatus: a review

Abstract

A closer study of the pathology of the external auditory meatus shows that there are various non-neoplastic and neoplastic diseases of local origin which are of great clinico-pathological importance. These include Kimura's disease and angiolymphoid hyperplasia with eosinophilia; progressive necrotizing (or malignant) external otitis. Osteoma and ceruminoma are typical neoplasms of the external auditory meatus which is also the site of polypoid granulomatous or neoplastic structures arising from the middle ear cleft. These so-called 'aural polyps' often dismissed as of little or no diagnostic importance, may contain significant clues to a serious underlying infection or to a malignant neoplasm. Profuse bleeding may ensue on removal of such polyps. The histopathological features and their significance are described and discussed.