Idiopathic inflammatory medial meatal fibrotizing otitis presenting in children.

OBJECTIVE

Acquired atresia of the ear canal presents rarely in children. Idiopathic inflammatory medial meatal fibrotizing otitis (IMFO) evidently has its own distinct etiopathologic findings causing acquired ear canal atresia.

PATIENTS

Two IMFO children treated and followed-up at the Department of Otorhinolaryngology of Helsinki University Hospital.

INTERVENTIONS

Clinical and radiologic evaluation of 2 children with IMFO solely affecting the glabrous skin over the osseous part of the ear canal and the tympanic membrane.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE

Review of identical cases of the acquired postinflammatory or inflammatory medial meatal atresia in children reported in association with literature.

RESULT

Idiopathic inflammatory medial meatal fibrotizing otitis, affecting solely the glabrous skin on the tympanic membrane and the osseous part of the external ear canals, is manifesting in 2 children without ongoing chronic middle ear infection.

CONCLUSION

The etiopathologic findings or pathophysiology of IMFO is speculative. The success of surgical correction of the already-formed fibrous atresia has not been established.