Fracture of the Incus Caused by Digital Manipulation of the Ear Canal and its Diagnosis Using Wideband Acoustic Immittance

Conclusion: A finger inserted into the ear canal can produce an air seal, and subsequent quick removal of the finger can result in the fracture of an ossicle. Clinicians should be cognizant of this form of trauma because insertion of a finger, ear plug, and earphone into the ear canal are common. Ossicular fractures can result in high-frequency CHL, and can be misdiagnosed as sensorineural loss because bone conduction thresholds are not measured above 4 kHz. As in this case, an ossicular fracture may be misdiagnosed and result in inappropriate treatment. Here, WAI, a non-invasive measure of ear mechanics, diagnosed a loose ossicular chain.
Source: Otology and Neurotology - Category: ENT & OMF Tags: MIDDLE EAR AND MASTOID DISEASE Source Type: research