A case of ear canal black pigment foreign body mimicking a melanoma

ABSTRACT

SUMMARY Melanoma of the ear canal is extremely rare; due to its hidden area, most would present late in their history. We present the first case reported, of a black pigment foreign body mimicking a melanoma in the external auditory canal. A 14 year old Chinese male presented with right sided otalgia and itch. Otoscopic examination revealed an irregular black naevus in the right auditory canal. An intraoperative excision showed a black pigment foreign body giant cell reaction. Clinicians should be aware of the possibility of a foreign body granuloma of the ear canal that might mimic a melanoma.