Pinna Haematoma (3)

Question 1

What is this?

What’s can occur if left untreated?

How quickly should it be drained? Why?

What can occur after drainage?
→ What can be done to reduce the risk of this?

Answer 1

➊ Trauma to the ear causes the perichondrial blood vessels to rupture, resulting in the formation of a haematoma.

➋ Blood supply to the underlying cartilage can become impaired, leading to avascular necrosis of the pinna. Over time, there’s fibrocartilagenous overgrowth, leading to a structural deformity = Cauliflower ear.

➌ Within 24 hours of the injury as the underlying cartilage becomes more susceptible to infection due to the compromised blood supply

N.B. In small haematomas, simple needle aspiration can be done, though this carries an increased risk of incomplete haematoma evacuation.

➍ Re-accumulation of the haematoma
→ Putting a dental roll on either side of the auricle to prevent re-filling