ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Foreign bodies in the external ear canal present a frequent situation in pediatric practice. It is generally benign, but infectious complications may occur. POPULATION: Between January 1996 and March 1997, 35 children with a foreign body in the ear canal were treated in the ENT department of Robert-Debré hospital. RESULTS: Age ranged from 15 months to 14 years, with a mean of 6.5 years. The sex ratio was 1.2 (19 boys/16 girls). Five children had bilateral foreign bodies. The most frequent foreign bodies were pearls (8/40) and cockroaches (7/40). Eleven children had complications: ear canal laceration in five cases, otitis externa in five cases, cervical adenitis in three cases, general septic syndrome with fever in one case, and drum perforation in one case. CONCLUSION: The methods of extraction and the management of the complications are discussed.
Subject(s)
Ear Canal , Foreign Bodies/epidemiology , Adolescent , Age Factors , Animals , Child , Child, Preschool , Cockroaches , Ear Canal/injuries , Ear, Middle/injuries , Female , Foreign Bodies/complications , France/epidemiology , Humans , Infant , Male , Otitis Externa/etiology , Retrospective Studies , Sex Factors , Shock, Septic/etiologyABSTRACT
Between 1994 and 1997, a total of 72 nasal foreign bodies were removed from 68 children (28 girls and 40 boys, including 2 repeats) in the ENT Department at Robert Debré Hospital, Paris. Ages ranged from 1 to 12.5 years (median, 3 years). Two children had bilateral foreign bodies. The unilateral foreign bodies were on the right side in 67.6% of cases. The most frequent objects were plastic objects, beads, paper, cotton and foam. Insertion was witnessed by an adult or reported by the child himself in the majority of cases. The other cases were diagnosed when complications occurred (as seen by persistent rhinorrhea and a foul body odor). All foreign bodies were removed in the consultation room using a hook or nasal forceps.
