Ear
External ear tumors - benign / nonneoplastic
Exostosis
Author: Nat Pernick, M.D.
Last author update: 1 October 2013
Last staff update: 25 May 2021
Copyright: 2002-2024, PathologyOutlines.com, Inc.
PubMed Search: Exostosis [title] ear
Table of Contents
Definition / general | Treatment | Gross description | Differential diagnosis | Additional referencesCite this page: Pernick N. Exostosis. PathologyOutlines.com website. https://www.pathologyoutlines.com/topic/earexostosis.html. Accessed April 16th, 2024.
Definition / general
- Also called surfer's ear
- Reactive, localized overgrowth of bone with a broad base
- Called osteoma if pedunculated
- Arises from wall of external auditory canal
- Usually multiple and bilateral; asymptomatic until large enough to block external auditory canal
- Highest incidence in cold water swimmers and surfers in Australia and New Zealand (J Laryngol Otol 2004;118:348)
Treatment
- Medical (for external otitis, antibiotics and aspiration), transmeatal surgical excision if medical treatment fails and patient is symptomatic (ORL J Otorhinolaryngol Relat Spec 2003;65:189)
Gross description
- Broad based, mound like bony proliferation resembling normal cortical bone (however pathologist usually only gets fragments)
- No bone marrow spaces
- Bone is covered by periosteum with overlying thin skin
Differential diagnosis
- Osteoma: uncommon in ear
Additional references
