Congenital aural atresia in a 4‐month‐old Dalmatian

Abstract

A 4‐month‐old female entire Dalmatian was presented for persistently excessive ceruminous discharge, suspected left aural malformation and decreased hearing. Otoscopic examination of the left ear showed a normal external meatus with an abnormal ending of the ear canal in a cul‐de‐sac. Computed tomography (CT) study of the head showed a diffusely tortuous and convoluted external ear canal with saccular distension and a stenotic area with the presence of a septum. Based on the clinical presentation and imaging findings, total ear canal ablation and lateral bulla osteotomy were performed. Macroscopically, the ear canal appeared to be sigmoid, as in the CT study. Notably, in the stenotic area, there was a membrane separating the vertical and horizontal ear canals. The histopathology of the external ear canal was consistent with that of hyperplastic otitis externa. No growth was observed on bacterial culture. The dog recovered uneventfully and no abnormalities were detected on re‐examination 2 weeks post‐surgery.