Beware the silent presentation of a high and dehiscent jugular bulb in the external ear canal

Abstract

Objective: We report two rare cases of high and dehiscent jugular bulbs protruding into the external ear canal; one case was silent, the other symptomatic.

Method: The cases are presented and the relevant literature reviewed and discussed.

Results: A 52-year-old woman underwent mastoid exploration for suspected cholesteatoma. On raising the tympanomeatal flap, while still lateral to the annulus, brisk venous bleeding occurred from a high, dehiscent jugular bulb in the external ear canal. The second patient, a 42-year-old man, underwent imaging for suspected glomus tumour. A high, dehiscent jugular bulb was found protruding into the external ear canal and hypotympanum.

Conclusion: High jugular bulbs in the middle ear have been reported many times. To our knowledge, there has only been one previous report of a high jugular bulb in the external ear. These cases illustrate the importance of full, accurate assessment of high resolution computed tomography images, and of appropriate, immediate management of bleeding.