A Case of Engorged Female Hard Tick in the External Auditory Canal of an Infant

Abstract

An oval-shaped mass with a smooth surface was found in the ear canal of a 22-month-old male infant. Although the mass appeared to be almost entirely blocking the ear canal, it was successfully removed under a surgical microscope without general anesthesia at the outpatient department. Under an optical microscope with hematoxylin and eosin staining, the specimen was observed to have a cuticle with a serrated surface and a pore canal, as well as parts of the capitulum, salivary glands, muscles, midgut, and the legs. The specimen was identified as a hard tick of the family Ixodidae, based on gross and histological findings. This paper is the first report in Korea on the diagnosis and treatment of a tick bite in the ear canal.

Tick in both external auditory canals: An extremely rare case report

“…Literature indicates that a tick bite in EAC can result in tinnitus, facial nerve palsy, and taste disorder, though rarely (6)(7)(8).…”

A Case of Contrast Enhanced Cystic Mass of External Ear Canal Diagnosed as Engorged Hard Tick

“…Incidence of tick bite in the ear canal is rare in humans and very rare in developed countries, with only few cases being reported [ 4 , 6 , 11 ]. However, reports of insects such as ticks in the auditory canal are not rare when we widen the field towards developing countries.…”

“…Tick bites were mostly observed in the head, neck, and extremities. Tick bites occurring in the ear canal is extremely rare; only one case was reported in Korea [ 6 ]. Furthermore, when the tick is engorged, it could be difficult to diagnose since the whole morphology of the parasite is not identified.…”