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Background <p>Cotton swabs (Q-tips) are a common cause of ear trauma, usually limited to the external canal or tympanic membrane. Inner ear complications such as stapes intrusion and pneumolabyrinth are rare but can result in serious auditory and vestibular damage.</p> Case presentation <p>A 7-year-old boy sustained left-ear trauma after falling with a Q-tip in place. He developed acute pain, bleeding, vertigo, and hearing loss. Examination showed a tympanic membrane perforation. Audiometry revealed a mild conductive hearing loss. High-resolution computed tomography demonstrated complete stapes intrusion into the vestibule with pneumolabyrinth. Surgical removal of the stapes, sealing of the oval window, and ossiculoplasty were performed. Vertigo resolved, and hearing improved with preserved bone conduction.</p> Conclusion <p>This paediatric case highlights the severity of Q-tip injuries. Early HRCT imaging and timely surgical intervention are critical for favourable outcomes. Public awareness and parental education remain essential preventive measures.</p>

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Q-tip-induced stapes intrusion with pneumolabyrinth in a child: a case report

  • 期刊论文

  • 出版模式：

    开放获取

  • 发表日期：

    2025年10月7日

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  • Omar Oulghoul,
  • Mohammed Rami,
  • Mohamed Chehbouni,
  • Youssef Lakhdar,
  • Youssef Rochdi,
  • Abdelaziz Raji

摘要

Background

Cotton swabs (Q-tips) are a common cause of ear trauma, usually limited to the external canal or tympanic membrane. Inner ear complications such as stapes intrusion and pneumolabyrinth are rare but can result in serious auditory and vestibular damage.

Case presentation

A 7-year-old boy sustained left-ear trauma after falling with a Q-tip in place. He developed acute pain, bleeding, vertigo, and hearing loss. Examination showed a tympanic membrane perforation. Audiometry revealed a mild conductive hearing loss. High-resolution computed tomography demonstrated complete stapes intrusion into the vestibule with pneumolabyrinth. Surgical removal of the stapes, sealing of the oval window, and ossiculoplasty were performed. Vertigo resolved, and hearing improved with preserved bone conduction.

Conclusion

This paediatric case highlights the severity of Q-tip injuries. Early HRCT imaging and timely surgical intervention are critical for favourable outcomes. Public awareness and parental education remain essential preventive measures.