An aural (auricular) hematoma is a fluctuant swelling of the ear flap, usually on its concave (inner) surface, caused by fluid and blood collecting inside a split in the auricular cartilage. It is rarely a disease in itself: almost every case follows head shaking or scratching, most often from otitis externa. Treating the swelling without finding and treating that cause invites recurrence.
Key facts
Aural hematoma at a glance- Species and system: dogs mainly (also cats and pigs); integument, pinna.
- Cause: trauma to the pinna from head shaking or ear scratching, usually driven by itchy ears (otitis externa from atopic dermatitis or food allergy); an immune-mediated contribution has been proposed.
- Lesion: fluid in a cleft within the auricular cartilage, bulging toward the concave surface.
- Classic presentation: a soft, warm, fluctuant swelling of one ear flap in a dog that has been shaking its head.
- Most important test: otoscopy and ear cytology to find the underlying otitis.
- Not zoonotic and not reportable.
What's inside
12 sections in the full guide- Key facts
- How the NAVLE tests this
- Cause and pathophysiology
- Clinical signs
- Diagnosis
- Differential diagnoses
- Treatment and management
- Prevention and control
- Prognosis
- Quick review
- Test yourself
- References
The full guide also has 6 tables, 3 figures, 3 self-test questions and 14 references, available to NAVLE members.
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