By Kelly Morales
A ten-year-old boy endured years of ear pain, drainage, and conductive hearing loss caused by inflammation in his ear canal. Despite seeking medical help, the commonly prescribed ear infection medications failed to alleviate his symptoms. It was not until he was examined by Dr. Eileen Raynor, a pediatric head-and-neck surgeon at Duke University Medical Center, that the underlying cause was revealed. Dr. Raynor conducted tissue biopsies, which led to the discovery of a skin disease associated with Crohn’s disease, later confirmed by a gastroenterologist.
Crohn’s disease is an inflammatory bowel disease that triggers inflammation and swelling in the digestive tract. Typical symptoms include abdominal pain, diarrhea, and fatigue, with additional manifestations like mouth sores, eye inflammation, and skin problems.
While literature has documented 80 cases of skin issues related to Crohn’s disease, only 17 of these cases initially presented with skin problems, with subsequent diagnoses of gastrointestinal disease. Recently, “brain fog” has also been reported as another symptom.
Dr. Raynor’s pediatric case represents the first reported instance of ear symptoms as a result of Crohn’s disease. The boy received treatment with Infliximab, a medication that inhibits the protein responsible for inflammation in Crohn’s disease. Additionally, he continued using Methotrexate, Cephalexin, and Tacrolimus topical ointment to address his skin and ear drainage symptoms. Following treatment, the boy experienced relief from ear pain and drainage, and his hearing returned to normal.
“Ear symptoms secondary to Crohn’s disease are a rare occurrence, and this pediatric case sheds new light on the potential manifestations of the disease. Through appropriate treatment, including Infliximab and other medications, doctors were able to alleviate the ear pain, drainage, and restore normal hearing in this young patient.”
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Kelly Morales is a doctoral candidate in audiology at the University of Arizona. She is completing her 4th year externship with Dr. Judy Huch at Oro Valley Audiology and Tanque Verde Audiology. She will graduate in May 2015.
I find this interesting. I’m still being worked up for Crohn’s but diagnosed with IBD (UC) though family with Crohn’s. I’ve had symptoms for 20 years. Ear issues are part of those symptoms with extreme tickling and drainage. I use to get a really bad skin condition in my ears that have been treated with a steroid type medication which clears it up. Every time I get the tickle, I use the meds to stop it before it gets bad. This is my first flare up that is giving me a hard time with it. I was just on here to see if there is a relationship with ear issues and crohn’s. Still putting the puzzle together. Eyes are affected as well.