Ear Emergencies: Auricular Hematoma, Chondritis, Mastoiditis

Question 1

Auricular hematoma
- risk factors
- pathophysiology
- management

Answer 1

Rugby, boxing blunt trauma
-perichondral vessels damaged => avascular cartilaginous necrosis (cauliflower ear)

Aspiration

Question 2

Chondritis
- risk factors, causative organism
- pathophysiology
- management

Answer 2

Diabetic, IC, piercings=> P aeriginosa
Pus from infection accummulates between cartilage, perichondrium => ischemia and avascular cartilaginous necrosis

ABx, abscess drainage

Question 3

Mastoiditis
-pathophysiology
-presentation
-investigations, diagnosis
-management

Answer 3

2ndary to OM => infection spreads to mastoid

• pain, red, swelling of mastoid => ear sticks out
  -boggy
• hearing loss
• fever

Blood and ear culture
Head CT

ENT referral
IV ABx