Clinical Characteristics of Patients With Papilloma in the External Auditory Canal.

OBJECTIVES

To determine the clinical characteristics of papilloma involving the external auditory canal (PEAC) in a region of China.

STUDY

DESIGN

A retrospective study.

METHODS

Demographics, manifestations, imaging results, histopathology, and treatment of 67 patients diagnosed with PEAC in a period of 6 years were analyzed at Shanghai Eye, Ear, Nose and Throat Hospital in China.

RESULTS

PEAC were encountered in patients between the ages of 12 and 82 years (mean 53.8 years). It was more prevalent in men (82%) than in women (18%) (P < .05). The clinical presentation was usually a mass in EAC, aural fullness, and hearing loss. Otoscopic and radiological examination were used together for initial diagnosis and pretreatment planning. Unilateral involvement was more common than bilateral involvement (P < .05). The average time between onset of first symptom and surgical resection and/or biopsy was 6.5 months (range, 0.25-60 months). All patients underwent gross total resection. In 5 patients, (7.5%) carcinoma was detected in the specimen. Fifteen patients (22%) had recurrence; recurrent tumors were detected after an average period of 10 months after surgery (range, 4-24 months).

CONCLUSION

PEAC is largely a benign lesion with a low risk of malignancy. Optimal management is via gross total resection. However, the risk of recurrence is high, which motivates a need for long-term monitoring.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 4 Laryngoscope, 131:1132-1137, 2021.