Intra-aural tick infestation, the presentation and complications

• Main Authors: N, Srinovianti, Raja Lope Ahmad, Raja Ahmad Al'konee
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: The Faculty of Medicine, International Islamic University Malaysia 2003
• Subjects: RF Otorhinolaryngology
• Online Access: http://irep.iium.edu.my/23100/1/Tick-send_publishtoimj.2003.pdf; http://irep.iium.edu.my/23100/; http://www.eimjm.com/Vol2-No2/Vol2-No2-B12.htm
• Institution: Universiti Islam Antarabangsa Malaysia

Background : Tick in the ear is very painful and distressing. It grips firmly into the skin of the external auditory canal and the tympanic membrane. Ear examination and attempt to remove the tick from the ear is difficult especially in a frightened and irritable child. We aim to specify the safest way to handle patient with intra-aural tick. Methods: We reviewed retrospectively all cases who were diagnosed as intra-aural tick from our clinic notes during the period of 1st of January 2001 to 31st December 2001. We recorded the demography of patients as well as the clinical findings. Findings: A total of 91 intra-aural tick cases over a one-year period in which 2 cases had neurological complications. Majority of patients (77%) were below 14 years old. Seventy-eight percent of patients came to our center within 3 days upon tick entry into the ear. More than half of the patients (53%) had traumatic experience due to failure of attempted removal of intra-aural tick by non- ENT doctors and two cases presented with vertigo and facial nerve palsy. Key words: Intra-aural tick, otalgia, vertigo, facial palsy