J Korean Assoc Oral Maxillofac Surg.  2016 Feb;42(1):51-54. 10.5125/jkaoms.2016.42.1.51.

Anterior tympanic plate fracture following extraction of the lower molar

• Kim YH
• Kim MK
• Kang SH

• KMID: 2189416
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.5125/jkaoms.2016.42.1.51

Abstract

The present case report describes an external auditory canal injury following extraction of the lower molar. The external auditory canal was torn in the same fashion that occurs in an anterior tympanic plate fracture. This case demonstrates one of the rare complications associated with dental extractions.

Keyword

External auditory canal; Tooth extraction; Complications

MeSH Terms

Ear Canal
Molar*
Tooth Extraction

Figure

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  Fig. 1 Panoramic radiograph taken before extraction of the right mandibular molar.

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  Fig. 2 Endoscopic views of the injured region in the external auditory canal (EAC). A. Endoscopic views of the injured region in the right EAC (arrow). The skin of the anterior wall area of EAC was torn when the jaws were slightly opened. B. Endoscopic views of the injured region in the right EAC. An anterior wall interior bump formed the inside EAC when the mouth was closed. C. Endoscopic views of the noninjured region in the left EAC.

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  Fig. 3 Computed tomography (CT) image of the damaged external auditory canal area and a fractured anterior tympanic plate. The arrows point to the fractured anterior tympanic plate area. A. Transverse CT image of the injured area. B. Sagittal CT image of the injured area. C. Three-dimensional reconstruction of the CT image of the injured area (purple, condyle head).

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  Fig. 4 Panoramic radiograph taken 2 weeks after bleeding at the external auditory canal was observed following extraction of the right mandibular molar.

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  Fig. 5 Axial computed tomography images of the mandibular condylar region acquired 3 years earlier. A small space (arrows) can be observed between the mandibular condyle and external auditory canal.

Reference

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