[Statistical study on the case of aural foreign bodies].

Although aural foreign bodies are very frequently seen in daily practice, few reports systematically analyze a large case population. We report 509 cases seen at our clinic during the 16 years from January 1986 to December 2001. All were clinically confirmed during the same period among a total of 68,579 new visitors and cases with aural foreign bodies accounted for 0.74%. Cases seen during routine outpatient clinic hours were 161 (31.6%), and others seen in emergencies were 348 (68.4%). Among these were 307 men (60.3%) and 202 women (39.7%). The right side involved 251 (49.3%), the left side 241 (47.3%), and bilateral 4 (0.8%). Monthly distribution showed an average of 42.4 cases a month, peaking during the months of July and August, when temperatures are highest. Age distribution showed an average of 25.4 years old, ranging from 1 month to 90 years of age. Those under 9 years numbered 182 (35.8%) and were the peak incidence by age. In classification by organic and inorganic, organic materials accounted for 206 (40.5%) and inorganic for 288 (56.6%). Organic materials appeared to be related to monthly distribution, i.e. more cases in hot months.