The Ear and Associated Structures: Part III

Injuries to the ear commonly result from motor vehicle collisions, industrial accidents, sporting mishaps, ear piercing and animal or human bites. Common injuries to the external and middle ear include auricular haematoma, external auditory canal abrasion, laceration, tympanic membrane perforation and ossicular chain dislocation. Barotrauma, (for example following a slap to the ear, or blast injury), can cause the tympanic membrane to perforate or disrupt the ossicular chain. Injuries to the inner ear often follow high energy impacts or penetrating trauma. These are usually part of a more widespread injury pattern involving skull base fractures, dural tears and other significant intracranial problems. They rarely occur in isolation. Thermal burns to the pinnae are seen in over 90% of patients with other head and neck burns. These are particularly at risk because they are thin and exposed on two sides. This also places them at risk of cold injury.