External auditory canal exostoses, also known as surfer's ear, are benign bony overgrowths of the bony external auditory canal brought about by exposure to cold wind and water combined.
Exostoses develop from prolonged irritation of the external auditory canal, typically with repeated cold-water exposure, which is thought to stimulate new bone formation at the tympanic ring within the external auditory canal 8. Exostoses have also been reported to occur after warm-water exposure 7.
Radiographic features
CT
broad-based or more focal circumferential bony overgrowth of the osseous external auditory canal
bilateral in many cases
Treatment and prognosis
Wearing ear plugs or hoods while in cold-water can reduce the occurrence and/progression of exostosis 8. Canalplasty may be required in cases where complications (hearing loss, infection) has occured 8.
3. Harnsberger HR, Glastonbury CM, Michel MA et-al. Diagnostic Imaging: Head and Neck. Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. (2010) ISBN:1931884781. Read it at Google Books - Find it at Amazon
5. Barbon D, Hegde R, Li S, Abdelbaki A, Bajaj D. Bilateral External Auditory Exostoses Causing Conductive Hearing Loss: A Case Report and Literature Review of the Surfer's Ear. Cureus. 2017;9(10):e1810. doi:10.7759/cureus.1810 - Pubmed
6. Wong B, Cervantes W, Doyle K et al. Prevalence of External Auditory Canal Exostoses in Surfers. Arch Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 1999;125(9):969. doi:10.1001/archotol.125.9.969 - Pubmed
7. Simas V, Hing W, Furness J, Walsh J, Climstein M. The Prevalence and Severity of External Auditory Exostosis in Young to Quadragenarian-Aged Warm-Water Surfers: A Preliminary Study. Sports (Basel). 2020;8(2):17. doi:10.3390/sports8020017 - Pubmed
8. Barbon D, Hegde R, Li S, Abdelbaki A, Bajaj D. Bilateral External Auditory Exostoses Causing Conductive Hearing Loss: A Case Report and Literature Review of the Surfer's Ear. Cureus. 2017;9(10):e1810. doi:10.7759/cureus.1810 - Pubmed
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