Ear Canal Polyp – June 29, 2023
A healthy 35-year-old male presents to internal medicine for a routine clinic appointment. He has no complaints. Evaluation of his left ear with the Wispr digital otoscope produces this image. What is the next step in management?
The patient has a polyp in his ear canal (aural polyp). Consultation with otolaryngology (ENT) is appropriate.
This abnormal growth is likely not cancerous. It may be from localized inflammation from irritation, a tumor, or a vascular abnormality. It is likely painless and would not come to medical attention unless it grew to obstruct the ear canal or it began bleeding. ENT should be consulted non-emergently, starting with this image, for definitive management.
