Recently, benign formations in the hearing organs are often diagnosed, such as a polyp in the ear. It develops in the mucous tissue during the inflammatory process or after it. It occurs in patients of different age groups, there are several types, on which therapy often depends. This disease is accompanied by appropriate symptoms, which helps in the diagnosis. Treatment is prescribed on the basis of the examination, carried out in a complex manner. With a polyp, you should not engage in self-therapy, as this can lead to serious consequences and complications, up to death.
Clinical picture
This benign formation comes in different shapes and sizes. If timely treatment is not provided, then this leads to a deterioration in the situation and well-being. Polyps in the ear are invisible, as well as those that grow and begin to close the ear canal. Diagnosed both internally and externally. Deliver considerablediscomfort to the patient, thereby worsening the quality of life.
Formations come with a thin vascular stalk or "sit" on a wide base. If the patient was diagnosed with the second type of polyps, then there is a possibility of degeneration into a malignant tumor. They are well visible and have a normal color, like the skin of the ear.
This benign growth often has a pale pink or red color. The shape ranges from round to conical. If a middle ear polyp is diagnosed, then its doctor is not always able to examine it and, as a result, it grows. The growth is soft, has a smooth or bumpy surface. A light touch causes slight bleeding. Such initial signs help the specialist in making a diagnosis.
As for histology, it will be different and it all depends on the type of polyps. If the process is already old, then there is a possibility of its transition to a fibroma. As a result, the patient begins to complain of hearing problems.
Causes of ear polyps
In the organ of hearing, polyps occur for various reasons. The most common is the inflammatory process and untimely therapy. The main provoking factor of education is chronic otitis media, as well as a predisposition to benign formations or damage to the ear.
The reason for the formation of polyps is the excessive division of cell tissue. In such a situation, the body tries to overcome the stimulus. This process may not alwayseliminate inflammation, therefore, the transformation of the mucosa into connective tissue is diagnosed. As a result, polyps appear in the ear in different parts of this organ.
Also, violations such as:
- Temporal lobe injury.
- Injury to the bone tissue of the head.
- Damage and delayed treatment of the facial nerve.
Polyps can be attributed to secondary pathologies, as they are often diagnosed with other concomitant diseases that develop in the human body.
Classification
As mentioned earlier, a polyp in the ear can be of different shapes, colors. Specialists distinguish the following types of this deviation:
- according to the form of education - on a small leg, with a wide base and spherical;
- by granulation - ordinary, angiofibromas, myxomas, fibromas;
- by color - white, burgundy, red, rose-red;
- depending on the surface - smooth, the presence of tubercles;
- consistency - soft, slightly dense;
- depending on the location - outside, in the middle ear.
Only a specialist can determine the type of education after a thorough examination of the auditory organ.
Symptomatics
As soon as the patient has a polyp, after a short time there are corresponding signs, after the appearance of which it is recommended to immediately seek qualified help. What should you pay attention to?
- Slight itching, noises and painsensations in the auditory organ.
- There is pressure.
- The patient complains of a foreign body in the ear cavity.
- Hearing problems - getting worse or disappearing.
- Frequent cephalalgia.
- Discharge of pus, often bloody.
Also, polyps in the ears of a person are often accompanied by pulsation, which causes significant discomfort and worsens the quality of life.
Formations in the ear of a child
There are cases when a polyp is diagnosed in young children. To identify this benign formation, it is worth paying attention to the present symptoms, which are not very different from the adult, and undergo a thorough examination. Increased excitability and temperature are often noted as additional signs of the disease.
A polyp in the ear of a child is eliminated by various methods, including operational, if the situation is very advanced. With growth, you should not waste time and start treatment as soon as changes in the baby's well-being have been noticed. If you start the situation, it will lead to the spread of polyps and deafness. Experts often recommend not only medicines, but also folk remedies that are quite effective.
How is the disease diagnosed?
To accurately establish education, you need to contact an otolaryngologist (ENT doctor). First of all, the specialist examines the eardrum and the external auditory canal. For thisspecial devices are used. As a result of the examination, pus, changes in the eardrum, and significant growths may be revealed. Attention is also paid to differential diagnosis. This is necessary for the appointment of quality treatment.
Also, the patient may be recommended to undergo other examinations:
- take a blood and urine test;
- bacteriological examination of the tympanic cavity;
- examination of the ear cavity with a microscope;
- computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging (performed only if the disease has begun to progress and the prevalence of polyps is diagnosed);
- biopsy to rule out cancer;
- explored to detect an allergic reaction;
- electrocardiogram;
- blood clotting test.
Based on the results obtained, therapy is prescribed, which may include not only conservative methods, but also surgery.
Complications and consequences
When the situation is neglected, it is recommended to remove the polyp in the ear. If this is not done, the fidelity of complications and negative consequences is great. Often this benign formation is provoked by infectious processes, and as a result, leads to the chronic stage of otitis media and the further development of the infectious process.
With untimely therapy, the growth of the polyp is diagnosed, then there is a blockage of the ear canal, deafness. There is also a risk of rebirth ina malignant tumor, the first signs of which include:
- intense pain with paroxysmal character;
- malaise, dizziness, rapid weight loss;
- excretion of blood and mucus;
- appetite problems.
If you do not start treatment, the complications can lead to death. Do not forget that infection in the ear canal provokes paralysis of the facial nerve, death of brain cells, meningitis.
Methods of therapy
Often after a diagnosis, patients wonder how polyps in the ear are removed. There are two ways to get rid of such a benign formation - medical or surgical. Alternative therapy is also prescribed as an integrated approach.
With the help of drugs it is possible to stop the inflammatory process. In such a situation, specialists prescribe steroids and disinfectants. If the pathology is complicated by a fungal infection, then you need to use antimycotic drugs. In advanced cases, surgery is performed.
During the operation, the polyp in the ear is cut off from the normal mucosal surface with the help of an instrument with a lower loop. Removal of the polyp is carried out with tweezers. Local anesthesia is mandatory.
After the intervention, the surface is disinfected and treated with medicines. The process is completed by washing with saline.
It is necessary to take into account the fact thatafter surgery, new polyps can be diagnosed. In such a situation, it is recommended to exclude the inflammatory process and be regularly supervised by a specialist.
Folk treatment
Folk therapy should in no case be carried out without auxiliary treatment. In most cases, after the completed course, positive results are observed, old processes disappear and new ones do not appear.
A good remedy for these benign formations is the composition of honey and butter. The components are used in equal proportions (1:1). To prepare the consistency, the ingredients are placed in a saucepan and boiled for 180 minutes. Cool and place in a cold place. You need to use the remedy daily on an empty stomach, preferably in the morning, 12 g each
Folk treatment helps get rid of only the provoking factor, but not from the growths themselves.
Prevention measures
To avoid this serious disease, it is recommended to carry out prophylaxis, after consulting with a specialist. These measures include:
- Timely treatment of ENT diseases.
- Using nasal drops.
- In the cold season you need to wear hats.
- Exclude hypothermia and infection of the auditory organ.
- Personal hygiene.
Polyps are a serious problem that must be de alt with immediately at the first sign of manifestation.
