Otitis Externa Flashcards
Define otitis
Inflammation of the pinnae and/or ear canals, may or may not be associated with infection
Define ear infection
A clinically significant microbial overgrowth or infection, most cases representing a dysbiosis of local otic microbiome rather than true acquired infection
Define recurrent as it relates to otitis
Clinically significant ear inflammation/infection within 3 months
Define acute otitis
otitis without acquired proliferative changes in the ear canals
Define chronic otitis
otitis with the presence of acquired proliferative changes in the ear canals
What are the 2 distinct clinical presentations of otitis externa
- erythroceruminous otitis
- suppurative otitis
Describe erythroceruminous otitis
erythema with a ceruminous to seborrheic discharge, may be simply inflamed but most associated with Malassezia or staph overgrowths, pruritus; chronic inflammation may have gram- bacteria, stenosis, pain
Describe suppurative otitis
erythema, ulceration, and a purulent discharge often with a biofilm, most have neutrophils and Pseudomonas app with other gram- and gram+ less common, Malassezia rare but show a distinct phenotype that may be associated with IgE-associated Malassezia sensitivity and immune-mediated diseases that affect the ear canal, often very painful
Describe suppurative otitis
Are recurrent ear infections primary or secondary?
All recurrent ear infections are secondary, does not mean the treatment failed but the underlying triggers were not managed
What are the 3-4 factors that contribute to chronic otitis?
Primary factors
Predisposing factors
Perpetuating factors
Secondary infections
(PPP or PSPP/PPPS)
Name common primary triggers for otitis externa
Hypersensitivity (atopic dermatitis/food-induced atopic dermatitis)
Parasitic (Otodectes cyanotis, less common Demodex spp)
Space-occupying lesions (ceruminous gland adenoma/adenocarcinoma, plasmacytoma, others; inflammatory polyp), common in older dogs
Miscellaneous (foreign body eg grass awn)
Name UNcommon primary triggers for otitis externa
Hypersensitivity (cutaneous adverse food reactions, allergic or irritant contact reactions)
Parasitic (Demodex app with generalized disease)
Endocrinopathies (HAC, hypot4, hyperestrogenism/Sertoli cell tumors)
Immunosuppression (Iatrogenic eg. glucocorticoid, chemotherapy)
Miscellaneous (acquired scar tissue and stenosis)
Name rare primary triggers for otitis
Primary immunodeficiency
Congenital ear canal narrowing or atresi
Do predisposing factors trigger otitis externa by themselves?
Rarely, make otitis more likely to occur or more likely to progress in an animal with a primary condition
Name a breed example of a predisposing factor for otitis externa
Cocker Spaniels have a greater density of ceruminous glands than other breeds, predisposing them to ceruminous gland hyperplasia, ectasia, and cyst formation
Chinese shar peis have a tightly opposed rostrally facing pinna that is partly the outcome of a twist in the vertical canal in some dogs resulting in stenosis
List anatomy and conformational predisposing factors for otitis externa
Hairy pinnae and/or ear canals
Pendulous pinnae
Increased density and altered physiology of ceruminous glands
Narrow ear canals or atresia
List lifestyle and management predisposing factors for otitis externa
Swimming
Overcleaning (wetting, maceration, impaction of material deeper in the ear canals, iatrogenic damage)
Routine plucking of hairs
Hot and humid enviroments
What causes the “cobblestone” appearance of chronic otitis?
Nodular epidermal and and glandular hyperplasia
What are perpetuating changes in otitis externa?
Chronic acquired pathological changes in the ear canals that prevent resolution
Name early perpetuating changes in otitis externa
nodular epidermal and glandular hyperplasia (“cobblestone” appearance)
Name late changes perpetuating otitis externa
further epidermal and dermal hyperplasia and thickening, ear canal stenosis and occlusion, fibrosis, and mineralization, can result in tympanic membrane rupture, otitis media, and cholestoma formation