Particular types of FB

• the most common ear foreign bodies include
  • beads
  • plastic toys
  • pebbles
  • popcorn kernels
  • insects
    • insects are more common in patients older than 10 years
• graspable foreign bodies
  • these include foam rubber, paper, vegetable material
  • they have higher rates of successful removal under direct visualization
• non-graspable foreign bodies
  • these include beads, pebbles, popcorn kernels
  • they have lower rates of successful removal
  • are associated with more complications such as canal lacerations

Reference:

1. Heim SW et al. Foreign bodies in the ear, nose, and throat. Am Fam Physician 2007;76:1185-9.