Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Muscle nerve damage linked to ear fluid buildup in dog
By Kent, Marc et al.·Published in Journal of the American Animal Hospital Association·2015·From the Department of Small Animal Medicine and Surgery, United States·View original on PubMed →
PetCaseFinder translated the abstract of this peer-reviewed paper into plain English so pet owners can read it. We do not publish original research — every detail traces back to the citation above. How we work →
Original publication title: Denervation of the Tensor Veli Palatini Muscle and Effusion in the Tympanic Cavity.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A 6-year-old English springer spaniel was brought in for facial paralysis, difficulty chewing, and balance issues. An MRI revealed a mass affecting the trigeminal nerve, which controls facial movement and sensation, leading to muscle atrophy and fluid buildup in the ear. The vet determined that the dog's inability to open the auditory tube caused the fluid accumulation. Treatment options would likely focus on managing the underlying tumor and addressing the symptoms, but specific outcomes were not detailed in the study.
People also search for: dog facial paralysis treatment · English springer spaniel ear fluid · dog balance issues causes
Abstract
An English springer spaniel was presented for right-sided atrophy of the muscles of mastication, analgesia and paralysis of the face, and vestibular dysfunction. Neurological signs were consistent with a lesion involving the pons and rostral medulla resulting in deficits in the function of the trigeminal, facial, and vestibular nerves. MRI disclosed a right-sided extraparenchymal mass consistent with a trigeminal nerve sheath neoplasm that was compressing and invading the pons and medulla. Atrophy of the muscles of mastication, innervated by the trigeminal nerve, was also observed on MRI. Additionally, effusion was present in the ipsilateral tympanic cavity. Gross and microscopic evaluation of the right tensor veli palatini muscle (TVPM) was consistent with neurogenic atrophy. Effusion in the tympanic cavity was likely the result of an inability to open the auditory tube as a consequence of paralysis of the TVPM. Without the ability to open the auditory tube, gases present within the auditory tube and tympanic cavity may be absorbed, creating a negative pressure environment that leads to fluid transudation and effusion build up. To the authors' knowledge, this is the first report to document neurogenic atrophy of the TVPM with concurrent effusion in the ipsilateral tympanic cavity.
Find similar cases for your pet
PetCaseFinder finds other peer-reviewed reports of pets with the same symptoms, plus a plain-English summary of what was tried across them.
Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26535464/