A case of double buried earrings in earlobes: uncommon complication

Abstract

Ear piercing is becoming increasingly popular especially among children and adolescents. Up to one third of patients experienced some form of complication after ear piercing. The documented complications range from benign superficial infection to hypertrophic and keloid scarring to life-threatening staphylococcal sepsis and hepatitis. Buried earring is one of the many complications of ear piercing. It usually occurs after several weeks of piercing especially if it is related to the inflammatory process after piercing. Its incidence is also related to the use of a spring-loaded ear-piercing gun. Buried earring can easily be missed in children presenting with ‘missing’ earring, especially among the unsuspecting plastic trainee. We report a case of double buried earrings in each earlobe in a child with history of ‘missing’ earrings. This case highlights the need for vigilance especially in managing our young patient with ‘missing’ earrings and the benefit of a simple anteroposterior-view radiographic study in suspicious cases.