Condition Lookup
Sub-Category:
Outer Ear Trauma
Number of Conditions: 2
Auricular Hematoma (Cauliflower Ear)
Specialty: Ear
Category: Trauma and Injury to the Ear
Sub-category: Outer Ear Trauma
Symptoms:
swelling on the ear; pain and tenderness; bruising; disfigurement if untreated; fluctuating lump under the skin
Root Cause:
Blood collects between the ear's cartilage and skin, usually due to trauma or repeated friction, causing disruption in blood supply and leading to fibrosis if untreated.
How it's Diagnosed: videos
Based on history of trauma, physical examination of the ear for swelling, discoloration, and fluctuating mass; imaging (ultrasound or CT) may be used in uncertain cases.
Treatment:
Drainage of the hematoma (needle aspiration or incision), pressure dressing to prevent re-accumulation, and antibiotics if infection is a concern. Severe cases may require surgical intervention.
Medications:
Oral antibiotics may be prescribed to prevent infection, typically covering skin flora, such as cephalexin (a cephalosporin antibiotic) or clindamycin (a lincosamide antibiotic). Pain relief may include NSAIDs like ibuprofen or acetaminophen .
Prevalence:
How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Common in individuals engaged in contact sports (e.g., wrestling, rugby, boxing); exact prevalence is unknown.
Risk Factors:
Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Participation in contact sports, repetitive trauma or friction to the ear, inadequate protective gear, delay in treatment.
Prognosis:
The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Good with timely treatment; untreated cases can result in permanent deformity (cauliflower ear) and potential hearing impairment.
Complications:
Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Permanent ear deformity, infection (e.g., abscess), recurrence of hematoma, hearing loss, and, rarely, cartilage necrosis.
Lacerations or Abrasions of the Ear
Specialty: Ear
Category: Trauma and Injury to the Ear
Sub-category: Outer Ear Trauma
Symptoms:
bleeding; pain; visible tear or scratch on the ear; swelling; redness or warmth if infected
Root Cause:
Physical damage to the skin or cartilage of the ear due to sharp or blunt trauma, often complicated by contamination or infection.
How it's Diagnosed: videos
Visual inspection of the injury to assess depth and extent; evaluation for potential cartilage exposure or involvement.
Treatment:
Cleaning the wound, suturing for lacerations (if deep), wound dressing, tetanus prophylaxis, and antibiotic administration if necessary.
Medications:
Antibiotics, such as amoxicillin-clavulanate (a penicillin antibiotic), are often prescribed for contaminated wounds. Pain relief may include acetaminophen or NSAIDs. Topical antibiotics like mupirocin may be used for superficial abrasions.
Prevalence:
How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Common; can occur due to accidents, sports injuries, or physical altercations.
Risk Factors:
Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Engaging in activities prone to accidents, inadequate use of protective gear, and delay in treating wounds.
Prognosis:
The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Excellent with prompt and appropriate care; untreated wounds can lead to infection, scarring, or cartilage damage.
Complications:
Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Infection (e.g., cellulitis or abscess), scarring, deformity, and, in rare cases, cartilage necrosis or perichondritis.