Canalplasty for auditory exostoses is reserved for symptomatic patients. This study reviewed the outcomes of our technique regarding cicatricial stenosis.

A chart review was conducted on patients undergoing canalplasty for auditory exostoses between 2002 and 2017. The surgical technique is described.

The study comprised 43 adults (50 operated ears). Exostoses were bilateral in 40 cases (94 per cent) and occlusive in 33 (66 per cent). After drilling, the external auditory meatus was covered with a graft in 34 cases (68 per cent) and a silicone sheet was used in 32 (64 per cent). Cicatricial stenosis appeared in eight cases (16 per cent). Skin grafts were not used in six of these eight cases (p < 0.04), and silicone sheets were used only in one of these eight (p < 0.01).

Canalplasty is challenging because of its potential complications. Our data showed that the use of skin grafts and silicone sheets to cover the bared external auditory meatus was associated with a lower rate of cicatricial stenosis.

Nasopharyngeal carcinoma with local extension to the external auditory meatus is rarely reported.

We present two cases of nasopharyngeal carcinoma with invasion to the external auditory meatus. First case at initial presentation; and the second at disease recurrence. Both patients presented with unilateral otologic symptoms corresponding to the affected site; as well as being heavily node positive. Otoscopic examination and 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron-emission topography demonstrated the involvement of external auditory meatus.

These two cases highlight the need of careful otoscopic examination and functional imaging to diagnose such cases.