Keratosis Obturans
Keratosis obturans is accumulation of desquamated keratin in the external auditory meatus. The keratin plug seen in keratosis obturans appears like a geometrically patterned keratin plug within the lumen of expanded ear canal. These keratin squames are shed from the complete circumference of the deep ear canal forming a lamina. It appears like onion skin. It can cause bone erosion due to pressure necrosis. It is also called Primary auditory canal cholesteatoma.
The ear canal appears to be w temporal bones may reveal canal erosion and widening.
There is recurrent pain, granulations, polyps and discharge from the ear canal. Conductive hearing loss is also common.
After surgical removal under general anesthesia the specimen must be sent for pathological evaluation to rule out malignancy. CT scan of temporal bones may reveal canal erosion and widening of the external auditory canal.
After surgical removal under general anesthesia the specimen must be sent for pathological evaluation to rule out malignancy.
The procedure is done under general anesthesia as a day case procedure.