Identification of foramen of Huschke with reversible herniation of temporomandibular joint soft tissue into the external auditory canal on multidetector computed tomography

Abstract

The foramen of Huschke, or foramen tympanicum, is a developmental defect in the bony part of the external auditory canal (EAC) due to a defect in ossification of normal bone in the first 5 years of life. Seen in the anteroinferior part of the EAC, it can be asymptomatic or present with salivary discharge into the EAC during mastication or as soft tissue swelling in the EAC in the absence of any inflammation, tumor, or trauma. We present a case of a man who presented with herniation of soft tissues of the temporomandibular joint into the EAC through a persistent foramen tympanicum.

Figure 1.

Axial closed-mouth high-resolution computed tomography sections showing (a) defect in anteroinferior part of bony external auditory canal with protrusion of the temporomandibular joint soft tissue into the external auditory canal; and (b) complete retraction of the soft tissue and air specks into the temporomandibular joint.