A Case of Bony Defect of the Anterior External Auditory Canal Wall Causing Ear Fullness

Abstract

A congenital defect of the anterior wall of the external auditory canal (EAC) is known as foramen of Huschke. The tympanic bone is incompletely developed and has a U shape at birth. The foramen of Huschke closes via continuous bone growth, which occurs before the age of 5 years. A persistent foramen of Huschke is an anatomic variation located in the anteroinferior portion of EAC, which can cause ear discomfort with spontaneous temporomandibular joint (TMJ) herniation into the EAC bony defect. We present a case of 50-year-old man who had a symptomatic TMJ herniation through an osseous defect. The physical examination showed a bulging mass of anterioinferior portion of EAC when the patient closed his mouth, which was retracted when the mouth openned. We report a case of surgical reconstruction of the EAC wall defect, and the foramen of Huschke with titanium mesh via preauricular approach along with literature’s review.