Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Signs and diagnosis of middle ear cysts in dogs
By Botelho, Cristiane Bazaga et al.·Published in Veterinary dermatology·2025·Veterinary Institute, Brazil·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Clinical aspects of middle ear tympanokeratoma in dogs diagnosed through advanced imaging, otoendoscopy and histopathological evaluation.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A 6.8-year-old male brachycephalic dog was brought in with symptoms like head tilt, ataxia (uncoordinated movement), and ear infections. The vet suspected a condition called tympanokeratoma, which is a type of cyst in the middle ear. Advanced imaging didn't provide a clear diagnosis, but an examination of the ear revealed a yellowish, keratin-like material. The best way to confirm tympanokeratoma is by taking samples of this material and examining them under a microscope. Treatment typically involves addressing the ear infection and managing any neurological symptoms.
People also search for: dog head tilt causes · brachycephalic dog ear infection treatment · tympanokeratoma in dogs
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Canine aural cholesteatoma (more appropriately named tympanokeratoma) is an epidermoid cyst whose aetiopathogenesis remains poorly recognised in veterinary medicine. There are a few reports published, possibly because it may be underdiagnosed. OBJECTIVES: To characterise the clinical aspects of dogs with tympanokeratoma, to describe the otoendoscopic, advanced imaging and histopathological findings of tympanokeratoma and to report the best approach to diagnose canine auricular tympanokeratoma in a retrospective study. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Of 890 dogs with suspected tympanokeratoma and otitis media, 100 animals underwent advanced imaging and otoendoscopy at radiology and dermatology reference centres in Brazil. RESULTS: Most affected dogs were male (71%) neutered (95%) with an average age of 6.8 years. Ninety-one of the 100 affected dogs were brachycephalic. Otitis externa (OE; 81%) was the main non-neurological manifestation observed. The main neurological clinical manifestations observed were: "head tilt" (66%), ataxia (31%) and nystagmus (25%). Advanced imaging findings could not propose a presumptive diagnosis of tympanokeratoma in 60 of 100 (60%) of the dogs. The absence of tympanic membrane and the presence of a dense pearly yellowish material resembling keratin in the tympanic bulla, after myringotomy, was the main otoendoscopic finding. The advanced imaging findings did not correlate with otoendoscopy and histopathological findings in more than half of the dogs. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Tympanokeratoma should be suspected in brachycephalic dogs with OE and peripheral vestibular syndrome, and samples of keratinous material from the middle ear associated with histopathological results may be the best approach for the diagnosis.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39749363/