Schwannoma of the external auditory canal: an unusual finding.

Schwannoma of the external auditory canal is a rare finding. There are reports of extension of intracranial schwannomas laterally to fill the middle ear and meatus, but in reviewing the English literature, we have found only one report of a primary external canal schwannoma. Three have been reported in the world literature. Such a tumor is described in a 45 year old man, which completely filled the external auditory canal. Total excision was achieved with care to preserve canal skin, to prevent stenosis, and to aid in healing.