Back diving and Diagnosed with Osteoma

[tomcat114]

Hey guys I am back diving after a long lay off and after the first time I went diving I ended up with an Ear infection went to a GP they gave standard stuff and it didn't seem to fix it. My sister is a Chiropractor and she looked into my Ear and seen a mass in it and advised me to go see an Ear's Nose and Throat DR he looked at it and said it was an Osteoma. He said it was from swimming or diving in cold water. He didn't appear to be a DR that dives. Anyone ever had this or have any more information on it. I went diving last weekend and didn't have any problems. Used a hood and didn't have any drainage issues. Am I going to be getting these more often or is this a rare occurrence. I had a CT scan to make sure it wasn't attached to anything and he is talking about minor surgery.

Thanks for any insight


Marc

 

[DocVikingo]

Hi Marc,

Sounds like an osteoma, or exostosis, of the bony ear canal. This is simply a knobby overgrowth of bone in the outer ear. These can be seen in those who frequently swim, surf (the condition is sometimes called "surfer's ear"), dive and even kayak or sail in cold water. They are not malignant or dangerous, and generally do not need to be removed unless they obstruct the ear canal. If they do obstruct the canal, frequent infections and a reduction in hearing can ensue.

I don't have incidence and prevalence stats at hand, but the condition is not rare in the populations described above.

The condition is almost always progressive, so the affected diver will want to take all feasible steps to keep the ear canals as warm and dry as possible throughout a dive outing.

Helpful?

This is educational only and does not constitute or imply a doctor-patient relationship. It is not medical advice to you or any other individual and should not be construed as such.

Regards,

DocVikingo

 

[tomcat114]

Ya thanks this does help the first time I tried to dive without a hood and we got down to 35 ish feet and it felt really cold and that is when it happend. This past weekend I used a hood and didnt seem to have any problems. I have noticed now putting my finger in my ear it is seems pretty sore. I belive that I will have it taken out it is obstructing my hearing.

 

[tomcat114]

Just an update to anyone who was following the issue. I ended up having a canal plastie?? sp. The ENT DR told my wife that everthing went great. I feel pretty good now hardly any pain just little thick headed like a decent hangover. I have my follow up in a week and hopefully I can get back in the water in about 1 month. The DR also said he has never had to take more then one out of a person in the same ear. Good diving everyone.

marc

 

[do it easy]

Thanks for the update and glad to hear it went well. This is something that I track since I do dive in cold water. I recall Sam Miller posted a thread a while ago - http://www.scubaboard.com/showthread.php?t=162113

There is some noise in the thread, but there is also some other info for anyone whom might be interested.

 

[DocVikingo]

Hi tomcat114,

Thanks for the follow up.

The ENT missed the diagnosis, but all turned out well. No worries about an exostosis continuing to grow or recurring.

Regards,

DocVikingo

 

[DPP Santa Cruz]

Glad to hear that you got over that hurdle. Now you need to be extra careful and must keep your ears dry. Like viking said, surfers ear does not just affect swimmers and surfers but most waterfolk that are exposed to cold water and wind factors alike.

I do believe however that the removal of the new bony growth will not prevent future growths. Some old school members of the local surf community have been known have at least 3 surgeries per ear. Unless you wear a well sealed hood, water cap, or ear plugs you will always be at risk.

Keep your ears dry.