It occurs at birth because the defect is in the embryological branchial cleft.
[1][2] The patient presents with non-healing ulcers of the neck and one of the external auditory canals.
Computerized tomography fistulogram can yield more accurate results regarding the course of the fistula.
Split thickness skin grafting and stenting is done if more than 30% of the external canal's circumference has been removed.
The potential complications following fistula removal surgery are facial nerve paralysis and recurrence.