Soft swelling of the external auditory canal

Tympanic Membrane Pneumatocele from Auto-insufflation

“…The previously identified tympanic membrane pneumatocele was managed surgically via excision and tympanoplasty with apparent success noted. 4 Further, the previously noted cases of EAC pneumatocele have resolved with tympanostomy tube placement 2 and canal wall reconstruction, 3 potentially providing additional management options if necessary. Seemingly, conservative management via lifestyle modification can effectively treat this pathology, but numerous interventions exist that can definitively resolve this issue if the lesion persists or lifestyle modification is unfeasible.…”

“…A rarely described phenomenon leading to such a finding involves a pneumatocele of EAC skin secondary to trauma, persistent increased middle ear pressure, or a congenital defect. [1][2][3] Rarer still appears to be an EAC mass secondary to a pneumatocele of the tympanic membrane itself, with only 1 reported case being described in the literature thus far. 4 Symptoms attributed to such lesions include conductive hearing loss, ear fullness, EAC stenosis, and otorrhea, and management typically involves equilibrating middle ear pressure or repairing the defect.…”

“…4 Symptoms attributed to such lesions include conductive hearing loss, ear fullness, EAC stenosis, and otorrhea, and management typically involves equilibrating middle ear pressure or repairing the defect. [1][2][3][4] Despite limited studies to date, auto-insufflation has previously been described as a potential adjunct in the management of otitis media given its potential to improve middle ear aeration with no evident adverse effects. 5 In this context, it is conceivable that a provider could recommend this intervention for not only the management of chronic otitis media, but other chronic ear pathologies such as cholesteatoma.…”

“…4 Symptoms attributed to such lesions include conductive hearing loss, ear fullness, EAC stenosis, and otorrhea, and management typically involves equilibrating middle ear pressure or repairing the defect. 1-4…”