Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Para-aural abscessation following traumatic ear canal separation in a dog.
- Journal:
- The Journal of small animal practice
- Year:
- 2001
- Authors:
- Connery, N A et al.
- Affiliation:
- Department of Veterinary Surgery
Plain-English summary
Traumatic ear canal separation is a rare injury in dogs, with only a few cases reported. In this particular case, a dog developed a para-aural abscess (a painful collection of pus near the ear) after the injury. The veterinarian diagnosed the problem by examining the ear and taking X-rays, which showed that the ear canal was not normal. To treat the condition, the vet performed a surgery called total ear canal ablation and lateral bulla osteotomy (TECA/LBO), which successfully resolved the dog's symptoms.
Abstract
Traumatic ear canal separation is rare in animals, with only eight dogs and one cat reported with the condition in the English language literature. Para-aural abscessation occurred in six of these nine animals. Diagnosis was made on otoscopic observation of a shortened, abruptly ending external ear canal that was free from advanced disease. Radiographs in those cases which have been described showed a disruption of the normal air opacity of the affected ear canal. Drainage, by creating a separate opening for the horizontal ear canal, or total ear canal ablation and lateral bulla osteotomy (TECA/LBO), have led to resolution of the clinical signs. This report adds a further case to the literature in which TECA/LBO was employed successfully.
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Search related cases →Original publication: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11380020/