Benign Osteonecrosis of the External Auditory Canal: Diagnostic Challenges and Outcomes in a Case Series

Benign osteonecrosis (BON) of the external auditory canal (EAC) is a rare and under recognised otological condition characterised by localised bony necrosis of the tympanic plate. It represents a diagnostic challenge due to its clinical overlap with necrotising otitis externa (NOE), EAC malignancy, keratosis obturans, and other external ear pathologies....

Clinicians should be aware that benign osteonecrosis of the external auditory canal is an under-recognised condition that can be diagnostically challenging, but this case series is too small to guide specific management changes.

Increasing awareness of rare external auditory canal pathologies like osteonecrosis may help otologists and audiologists avoid misdiagnosis and unnecessary delays in treatment.

1. 01Case series from Cureus documenting benign osteonecrosis of the external auditory canal.
2. 02The condition is rare and frequently under-recognised, leading to diagnostic delays.
3. 03Clinical outcomes and complications are reported for a small patient group.
4. 04No standardised diagnostic criteria or treatment protocols are established for this condition.
5. 05The study highlights the need for greater clinician awareness of this pathology.

PMID

42367507

DOI

10.7759/cureus.109737.

Journal

Cureus

Publication type

case_series

Evidence level

4

Population

Patients with benign osteonecrosis of the external auditory canal

Intervention

Diagnosis and clinical management of benign osteonecrosis of the external auditory canal