Keratosis Obturans: A Rare Cause of Facial Nerve Palsy

Keratosis obturans is a rare condition characterized by the accumulation of desquamated keratin material in the bony portion of the external auditory canal (EAC). It is thought that keratosis obturans is due to abnormal epithelial migration of ear canal skin. Classically, it is reported to present with severe otalgia, conductive deafness and global widening of the canal. The frequency of keratosis obturans has been estimated as 4-5 in 1000 new otological cases. Extensive erosion of the bony meatus, with exposure of the facial nerve, has been previously reported as one of the complications, on Medline the 1st published such complication in 2006. The purpose of this case report was to presents a rare and probably the first reported keratosis obturans in Iraq that caused facial palsy.