History of Tympanostomy Tubes (ear tubes)

The circular pattern is from a prior history of tympanostomy tubes. Ear tubes are often placed in children who have recurrent ear infections.Read our prior Interesting Image on tympanostomy tubes. The ear tubes eventually fall out and after the eardrum heals, there can be evidence of the prior placement, as in this image. In addition to the circular healing area, the patient also hasmyringosclerosis(the 2 white areas). Sclerosis is a hint that he experienced ear infections as a child. The area of ear tube healing and sclerosis typically have no significant effect on hearing.

The patient’s left ear had a similar finding of post-tympanostomy tube healing and sclerosis as seen in the second image.

Key Learning Points:

1. Tympanostomy (ear tubes) are commonly placed in children who have recurrent ear infections. The tubes drain effusion from the middle ear space and equalize pressure across the ear drum.
2. The placement of ear tubes often leads to patches of sclerosis on the ear drum. These have little clinical significance.
3. Tympanostomy tubes fall out on their own after about 6 months and the ear drum heals.