TITLE:
Atypical Ear Foreign Bodies: An Underestimated Danger
AUTHORS:
Moad El Mekkaoui, Naoufal Miri, Yahya Khalid, Zakaria El Hafi, Zakaria Arkoubi, Razika Bencheikh, Anas Benbouzid, Leila Essakalli
KEYWORDS:
Ear Foreign Body, Cement, Complications, Schizophrenia, Case Report
JOURNAL NAME:
Voice of the Publisher,
Vol.11 No.4,
December
30,
2025
ABSTRACT: Background: The introduction of foreign bodies into the external auditory canal is common in children but rare in adults, usually associated with psychiatric illness, intellectual disability, or drug addiction. Aim: We present a rare case of a schizophrenic patient who inserted cement into his external auditory canal to alleviate auditory hallucinations, highlighting the complications, therapeutic challenges, and the importance of multidisciplinary management. Case Presentation: A 60-year-old male with paranoid schizophrenia inserted fresh cement into his left ear in an attempt to suppress auditory hallucinations. He later developed otalgia, hearing loss, and otorrhea. Otoscopy and CT imaging revealed a stony mass obstructing the canal without middle ear involvement. Under general anesthesia, the foreign body was successfully removed without complications. Postoperatively, he was stabilized on antipsychotic medication with resolution of hallucinations and normalization of hearing. Conclusion: Ear foreign bodies in adults should raise suspicion of psychiatric illness. Cement, due to its chemical and physical properties, can cause severe complications. Early surgical removal and coordinated multidisciplinary management involving otolaryngology and psychiatry are essential to prevent recurrence.