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What Causes White Discharge Around The Ear After A Canal Wall Up Mastoidectomy?
Question: My son has white thick substance around his ear opening but is not feeling any pain. He had a canal wall up surgery in that same ear around 8 months ago. Should I be worried?
Brief Answer:
Eear wax, fungus. Infection, recurrence, foreign body should be ruled out.
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thank you for your query.
1. This thick white discharge can be ear wax, fungus, middle ear discharge or a recurrence of cholesteatoma flakes. In children, foreign bodies should also be ruled out.
2. You should inform the earlier ENT Specialist who can clean the ear discharge, examine the ear drum and send a swab for bacterial; fungal culture and antibiotic sensitivity.
3. If there is any doubt, an MRI Scan for cholesteatoma (a relatively new scanning protocol) with a 45 minute post contrast scanning and an HRCT Temporal bones will settle the diagnosis.
4. Hearing tests should also be done. adenoid enlargement which is common at this age should be ruled out with a skull X-ray (lateral view), especially if he has mouth breathing / snoring at night.
5. Please upload his examination notes and test results for discussing further treatment options.
I hope that I have answered your query. If you have any more questions I will be available to answer them.
Regards.
Eear wax, fungus. Infection, recurrence, foreign body should be ruled out.
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thank you for your query.
1. This thick white discharge can be ear wax, fungus, middle ear discharge or a recurrence of cholesteatoma flakes. In children, foreign bodies should also be ruled out.
2. You should inform the earlier ENT Specialist who can clean the ear discharge, examine the ear drum and send a swab for bacterial; fungal culture and antibiotic sensitivity.
3. If there is any doubt, an MRI Scan for cholesteatoma (a relatively new scanning protocol) with a 45 minute post contrast scanning and an HRCT Temporal bones will settle the diagnosis.
4. Hearing tests should also be done. adenoid enlargement which is common at this age should be ruled out with a skull X-ray (lateral view), especially if he has mouth breathing / snoring at night.
5. Please upload his examination notes and test results for discussing further treatment options.
I hope that I have answered your query. If you have any more questions I will be available to answer them.
Regards.
Note: Consult an experienced Otolaryngologist / ENT Specialist online for further follow up on ear, nose, and throat issues - Book a Call now.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Arnab Banerjee
Answered by
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