Otitis Externa Flashcards
How does the external ear canal function?
auricular cartilage (ventral canal) overlaps annual cartilage (horizontal canal) to allow flexibility and movement to properly gather and guide sounds into the canal
What shape does the canine ear canal take?
L-shaped with a dorsal pocket and a ventral notch (“trap)
External ear canal:
L = vertical canal with pocket ventrally
R = “in the trap”, edge of annular cartilage
What is normal anatomy of canine ear canals?
depends on breed!
- normal to see hair throughout canal
- round opening
- brachycephalics - narrow oval opening, closes easily
What are 3 differences in the feline ear canal?
- external canal doesn’t have a deep trap
- smaller diameter - difficult to pass some scopes
- bony septum separates middle ear from bulla
What should the tympanic membrane look like? What structures does it have?
clear and transparent
- pars flaccida - moves with pressure differences
- pars tensa - remains still
- malleus - located between PF and PT, concave points rostrally
How does the feline tympanic membrane compare?
bony septum makes it look less transparent
What causes the pars flaccida to become prominent?
increased pressure in the ear canal
- NOT a tumor, but may be indicative of middle ear disease
How do the inner and outer layers of the tympanic membrane compare?
INNER = cuboidal epithelium
OUTER = stratified squamous epithelium
What is behind the tympanic membrane?
MIDDLE EAR - epitympanic cavity (recess), tympanic cavity, ventral (fundic) cavity
- lined with modified respiratory cells - ciliated, secretory
- contains nerves, vessels, ossicles, and muscles
What structures of the middle ear can be seen on otoscopic examination?
VENT = into the bulla
PROM = vestibular window, contains inner ear
How does the middle ear anatomy differ in cats?
- contains a septum to separate the middle ear
- cochlea + cochlear window
Feline tympanum and middle ear:
extremely thin, less transparent membrane
Feline middle ear, CT:
What 6 pathological changes in the ear occur with otitis?
- inflammation - edema and cellular infiltration
- glandular hyperplasia
- epidermal hyperplasia - obstructs duct opening
- additional inflammation - migration of inflammatory cells, release of proteases and other cytokines
- fibroplasia
- ossification
Ear, epidermal hyperplasia:
Ear, folliculitis and furunculosis:
What 5 diagnostics are used for otitis externa?
- history, PE
- otoscopic exam
- cytology***
- culture and sensitivity
- diagnostic imaging
What is commonly necessary for in-depth otoscopic exams? What are 3 keys to proper examination?
sedation/anesthesia as needed - topical, systemic, complete anesthesia for manipulation or surgery
- examine both canals
- visualize the tympanic membrane
- do no harm
How do otoscopes compare to video otoscopy?
OTOSCOPES = 2x magnification, attachment can be used to change pressure and evaluate tympanic membrane
VIDEO = 10x magnification, better light and clarity, good for individuals with visual deficitsW
What is considered the key diagnostic test in ontology?
cytology
- done on both ears no matter what
- done at initial presentation and every recheck exam
Where should cytology samples be collected in cases of otitis?
right at the edge of the annular cartilage in the entrance to the horizontal canal
What is proper positioning of swab and head when collecting ear cytology?
pull out ear horizontally and keep it and the swab horizontal to the floor
- aim past the inner tragus
What is proper technique when dipping cytology slides?
be gentle - wax does not adhere well and material can be lost
- use a clothespin to hold the slide
- never skip stains –> Malassezia sticks well to red-stained material!
- DON’T run water directly on sample
What artifact is seen on this ear cytology slide?
clumping of stain –> not bacteria!
What are 2 normal findings on ear cytology slides?
- cerumen - keratinocytes, sebum, ceruminous secretions from apocrine glands
- microorganisms - low numbers of yeast and various bacteria
Keratinocytes, ear cytology
Ear cytology, yeast:
Malassezia
Ear cytology, mixed infection:
cocci + rods
- mixed = easier to manage –> one has not been able to overpower the others
Ear cytology, WBCs:
epithelial damage