Tympanic Membrane Pneumatocele from Auto-insufflation

xlomafota13 shared this article with you from Inoreader Tympanic Membrane Pneumatocele from Auto-insufflation Via otol rhinol Ann Otol Rhinol Laryngol. 2021 Jun 18:34894211024045. doi: 10.1177/00034894211024045. Online ahead of print. ABSTRACT OBJECTIVE: The differential of an external auditory canal mass is broad. One rare potential cause is a pneumatocele of the tympanic membrane, which has only been described 1 other time in the literature. This report serves to describe the second case of this pathology, including its unique presentation, and benign clinical course. METHODS: Case report. RESULTS: A case is discussed in which a pneumatocele of the tympanic membrane was incidentally identified during evaluation of contralateral otologic pathology. The etiology was suspected to be habitual auto-insufflation. After cessation of this practice, the pneumatocele was noted to resolve without further intervention. CONCLUSION: A tympanic membrane pneumatocele represents a rare cause of an external auditory canal mass. The diagnosis can be made clinically via history, palpation, and otoscopy during auto-insufflation, potentially avoiding further diagnostic testing. Depending on the etiology, resolution can occur after lifestyle modification; however, further interventions may definitively treat the condition if so required. PMID:34142568 | DOI:10.1177/00034894211024045 View on the web Inoreader. Take back control of your news feed. Follow us on Twitter and Facebook.