Small Animal Ear Surgery

The outer ear consists of the vertical and horizontal canals that end at the external acoustic meatus. The middle ear is the tympanic bulla cavity connecting to the pharynx via the eustachian tube. The auditory ossicles connect the tympanic membrane to the inner ear. In cats, there are two compartments - the bony septum and the pinna.

An aural hematoma is a collection of blood between the skin and the cartilage of the ear.

The management of an aural hematoma or simple pinna trauma may involve surgical drainage of the hematoma, followed by suturing or placement of a drain to prevent re-accumulation of blood. In some cases, the use of corticosteroids or anti-inflammatory drugs may be necessary.

The indications for ear canal resection and total ear canal ablation include chronic otitis externa, neoplasia, or severe ear canal stenosis that does not respond to medical management. Ear canal resection may be performed in cases where preservation of the pinna is desired, while total ear canal ablation involves complete removal of the ear canal and pinna.

Nasopharyngeal polyps are benign growths that originate from the mucous membranes of the nasopharynx. They can cause clinical signs such as sneezing, nasal discharge, and otitis media. Diagnosis is usually made through physical examination and imaging techniques. Treatment typically involves surgical removal of the polyp, although recurrence can occur.