Pediatric emergency medicine trisk 3260 3260

ED Clinical Pathway for Evaluation/Treatment of Acute Head
Trauma
URL: />Authors: M. Zonfrillo, MD; F. Nadel, MD; D. Corwin, MD; M. Mittal, MD;
C. Jacobstein, MD; J. Lavelle, MD; P. Scribano, DO, MSCE
Posted: December 2010, last revised February 2020

TRAUMA TO THE EAR
Ear Foreign Body
Goals of Treatment
The goal of treatment is to remove the foreign body as early after it is recognized
as possible. Early removal allows for the easiest possible extraction which
reduces risk of trauma to the external canal and tympanic membrane (TM).
Removal of the foreign body prevents infection, damage to the TM, and can
prevent hearing compromise.
CLINICAL PEARLS AND PITFALLS
Examine the ear with caution to avoid advancing the object further into
the canal.
Be sure to check other orifices for additional foreign bodies.
Disk batteries should be removed as soon as they are identified to
avoid rapid tissue destruction.
Kill insects in the external auditory canal (EAC) using mineral oil or
alcohol before attempting removal. Note, if the animal has caused
abrasions of the ear canal skin, alcohol can be significantly painful if
used.
Irrigation of biologic foreign bodies can result in swelling of the object
and cause them to become more firmly lodged in the auditory canal.

Current Evidence
Foreign objects in the EAC are a common occurrence in children with nearly
10,000 visits annually. Children with ADHD or kinetic movement disorders are at