Description

Rarely a leech may make its way into the external auditory canal where it tries to feed a blood meal.


Source: swimming in a natural body of water containing leeches

 

Clinical findings:

(1) otalgia

(2) otorrhagia

(3) sense of something in the ear

 

Differential diagnosis:

(1) foreign body (typically in a small child)

(2) tick or insect

 

The patient should be examined for other leeches.


To read more or access our algorithms and calculators, please log in or register.