Neglected microphone in the ear: About a case

Stranger bodies (EC) of the middle ear are among the emergencies least encountered by otolaryngologists (ENT). A 16-year-old patient with no otological history had seen a right chronic otorrhee with otalgia and hypoacousia for 6 months. Microscopic examination of the diseased ear had resulted in purulent secretions with inflammation of the external auditory canal. After aspiration, a blackish appearance was observed occupying the lower quadrants of the eardrum with associated myringitis. The gentle mobilization with the suction cannula and a spike revealed a fixed, painful CE, impacting the tympanic membrane and deeply introduced into the middle ear. The extraction of the EC could be carried out without difficulty (Figure 1), completed by myringoplasty with an aponevrotic graft. The first observation of a Tallic CE of the middle ear has been neglige for more than 20 years reported to you in 1883 by Lucius Holland [4]. Since then, few cases have been written down. Syms and Nelson reported 4 cases of EC in the middle ear with chronic otitis media [2]. Average EC penetrants from the ear are relatively rare. They may go unnoticed, especially in children, to reveal themselves later by complications. Hence the interest of prevention and diagnosis precoce allowing a simple extraction.