Otologic Trauma
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Basics
Description
Pinna- Ear cartilage has no blood supply and is nutritionally dependent on perichondrium
- Hematomas often disrupt perichondrium and cartilage that can lead to:
- Ischemia
- Perichondritis
- Necrosis
- Cauliflower ear
- Penetrating injuries or bite wounds may lead to infection of cartilage
Middle Ear
- Air-space cavity containing ossicles; susceptible to injuries disrupting middle-ear pressure (blast, diving)
- Bordered by medial cranial fossa (including temporal and mastoid bones)
- Traumatic fractures can lead to CSF leak (otorrhea/rhinorrhea) and may disrupt enclosed vestibular system
- Facial nerve passes through cavity – injury to cavity may cause peripheral nerve paralysis
Etiology
- Blunt trauma: Most commonly motor vehicle crashes or fights/contact sports (wrestling, boxing)
- Penetrating trauma such as tympanic membrane (TM) perforation from cotton swabs or bobby pins
- Human or animal bites
- Blast injury
- Lightning injury: TM and ossicular disruptions occur in 50% of lightning strikes
- Chemical exposure
- Thermal injury
- Diving injuries:
- Inner-ear barotrauma
- TM rupture
Pediatric Considerations
Consider nonaccidental trauma
-- To view the remaining sections of this topic, please log in or purchase a subscription --
Basics
Description
Pinna- Ear cartilage has no blood supply and is nutritionally dependent on perichondrium
- Hematomas often disrupt perichondrium and cartilage that can lead to:
- Ischemia
- Perichondritis
- Necrosis
- Cauliflower ear
- Penetrating injuries or bite wounds may lead to infection of cartilage
Middle Ear
- Air-space cavity containing ossicles; susceptible to injuries disrupting middle-ear pressure (blast, diving)
- Bordered by medial cranial fossa (including temporal and mastoid bones)
- Traumatic fractures can lead to CSF leak (otorrhea/rhinorrhea) and may disrupt enclosed vestibular system
- Facial nerve passes through cavity – injury to cavity may cause peripheral nerve paralysis
Etiology
- Blunt trauma: Most commonly motor vehicle crashes or fights/contact sports (wrestling, boxing)
- Penetrating trauma such as tympanic membrane (TM) perforation from cotton swabs or bobby pins
- Human or animal bites
- Blast injury
- Lightning injury: TM and ossicular disruptions occur in 50% of lightning strikes
- Chemical exposure
- Thermal injury
- Diving injuries:
- Inner-ear barotrauma
- TM rupture
Pediatric Considerations
Consider nonaccidental trauma
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