Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Secondary secretory otitis media (SSOM) in 3 cats and 2 dogs.
- Journal:
- Tierarztliche Praxis. Ausgabe K, Kleintiere/Heimtiere
- Year:
- 2024
- Authors:
- Schuenemann, Riccarda & Oechtering, Gerhard
- Affiliation:
- Small Animal Department · Germany
Plain-English summary
This study looked at five pets—three cats and two dogs—who had fluid buildup in their middle ears due to a blockage in the area that connects the throat to the ear. The pets underwent a procedure to drain the fluid, and tests showed that the fluid was mostly clear to slightly thick and, in some cases, contained a lot of inflammatory cells and signs of infection. The blockages were caused by various issues, including stents placed by vets and tumors. In the pets without tumors, the fluid went away completely once the underlying problem was fixed. Overall, if the blockage can be addressed, the fluid buildup in the ear can be resolved.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To describe secondary secretory otitis media (SSOM) due to obstruction of the nasopharyngeal opening of the auditory tube in cats and dogs and to characterize the effusion by macroscopic description, microscopic cytology and bacteriological analysis. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Three cats and 2 dogs with middle ear effusion and obstruction of the nasopharyngeal opening of the auditory tube detected on CT scans received myringotomy followed by macroscopic description, microscopic cytology and bacteriological analysis of the fluid obtained. RESULTS: All animals had serous to mucoid middle ear effusions and, in 2 cases, large numbers of inflammatory cells and secondary infection. Causes of auditory tube dysfunction ranged from iatrogenic stents (2) to neoplasia (3). In the non-neoplastic cases, effusion resolved in all cases after removal of the underlying cause. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Obstruction of the nasopharyngeal opening of the auditory tube leads to accumulation of fluid within the middle ear in cats and dogs. If the cause of obstruction can be removed, fluid accumulation resolves. Fluid characteristics are comparable to middle ear effusions in pugs and French bulldogs. It is important to always examine the nasopharynx in cases of middle ear effusion to rule out SSOM.
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Search related cases →Original publication: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38925134/