Overview, Causes, & Risk Factors
Aural polyps are noncancerous, fleshy growths in the outer ear canal or onyour eardrum.
What is going on in the body?
Polyps usually form from constant irritation of the ear canal or eardrum.External ear infections, called chronic otitis externa,are the most common cause of this irritation.
What are the causes and risks of the condition?
Infection is the most common cause of aural polyps.Benign ear growthssuch as cholesteatoma, also known as ear cysts, can also show up as polyps. This problem most oftenforms from an ear canal that has something wrong with it. Or it may be a reaction to atubeplaced in the eardrum.
Necrotizing externa otitisis a bone infection within the ear canal. This can also cause polyps. If the infection spreads, it can causebrain abscess,facial paralysis, deafness, meningitis,and bone infection of the base of the skull.
Symptoms & Signs
What are the signs and symptoms of the condition?
The main signs and symptoms of aural polyps are linked to the underlyinginfection. Often there is pain and itching in the ear canal. There may also be drainagefrom the infection. Because your ear canal has a growth in it, there may be somehearing impairmentas well.
Diagnosis & Tests
How is the condition diagnosed?
An aural polyp is found by ear examination. There is usually pus if theprimary cause is infection.
Prevention & Expectations
What can be done to prevent the condition?
Prompt treatment of external ear infections can help to prevent aural polyps.
What are the long-term effects of the condition?
Polyps in the ear canal may grow, bleed, and affect hearing.Cholesteatoma, or ear cysts, can spread and damage the inner and middle ears.Noncancerous growths may increase the person’s risk for chronic otitis externaand hearing impairment.Malignant otitis externawill continue to spread unless treated.
What are the risks to others?
There are no risks to others, as aural polyps are not contagious.
Treatment & Monitoring
What are the treatments for the condition?
Aural polyps are generally treated with topical steroid creams and antibioticeardrops. For long-term or repeat infections, steroid creams and white table vinegarmay be used. Your doctor may prescribe antifungal drops and creams for a fungalinfection. Ear tubes may need to be removed if drops are not effective in getting rid of the polyps.
What are the side effects of the treatments?
Side effects are specific to the medicines being used but may include:
Medicine should be stopped if symptoms occur.
Surgery carries a risk of infection, bleeding, and allergic reaction toanesthesia.
What happens after treatment for the condition?
The infection and the polyp generally resolve with therapy and have nolong-term effects. If chronic otitis externadevelops, maintenance therapy may be necessary. This could include steroid drops,vinegar washes, or antifungal products. If a tube had to be removed because of a polyp andear infection recurs, a new tube made of a different substance may be needed.
How is the condition monitored?
Any new or worsening symptoms should be reported to the healthcareprovider.
Article type: xmedgeneral
