Clinicopathological Characteristics of Aural Polyps

Background: The objective of this study was to characterize aural polyps, documenting its clinical, audiological, radiological and histopathological features. Methods: Retrospective retrieval of information on named characteristics from the case records of patients with aural polyps. It compared these characteristics between children and adult patients. Analysis was done using SPSS version 19.0. Results: Data of 52 patients were analyzed. Aural polyps constituted 11.1% of otology cases. The majority (63.5%) of the patients were females and 34.6% were children. The mean age was 27.1 years. The major presenting symptoms included earache in 44 (84.6%), ear discharge (82.7%) and fullness in the ear (65.4%). The median duration of symptoms was 4 weeks with no laterization of polyp. In 69.2% of the ears, there were perforations of the eardrum. Hearing impairment was recorded in 53.8% of the patients while 69.2% of the aural polyps were associated with otitis media. Most polyps were attached to the anterior wall of the external auditory canal (EAC). In the PTA, 37.9% had conductive hearing loss; 55.2% out of assessed mastoid radiographs had sclerotic cells while 26.5% of the histopathology reports had cholesteatoma. Significant differences occurred in the experience of two symptoms between children and adults. Conclusions: Both clinical and pathological characterizations are important in effective management of aural polyps. Aural polyps should be considered serious aural lesion.