Canis ISSN: 2398-2942
Otitis interna
Synonym(s): Inner ear disease, labyrinthitis
Contributor(s): Kyle Braund
Introduction
- Cause: infection via middle ear or through hematogenous spread.
- Signs: head tilt, circling and nystagmus (vestibular syndrome).
- Deafness and disturbances of balance occur together.
- Facial nerve and sympathetic trunk can be involved in middle ear. Virtually always unilateral.
- Important to differentiate this disorder from central vestibular disturbances.
Print off the owner factsheet on Chronic otitis to give to your client.
Pathogenesis
Etiology
- Extension of opportunistic infection by Staphylococcusspp Staphylococcus spp ,Streptococcusspp Streptococcus spp, Malassezia,Clostridium welchii and (especially) Pseudomonas aeruginosa Pseudomonas aeruginosa.
- Iatrogenic: trauma due to excessive pressure from overzealous irrigation or use of ototoxic compounds in irrigating middle ear.
- Idiopathic form: hematogenous spread of infectious agent, possibly viral.
- Trauma to head (rare).
Predisposing factors
General
Specific
Pathophysiology
- Trigger factor usually unilateral spread of otitis media through round cochlear window to inner ear → in process facial nerve and sympathetic trunk to eye may be damaged → facial paralysis and partial or complete Horner's syndrome on affected side → loss of function of cochlea and semicircular canals → unilateral deafness and disturbance of balance.
Other trigger factors
- Direct hematogenous infection of inner ear.
- Iatrogenic damage during treatment of otitis media, through overzealous irrigation or use of ototoxic compounds for irrigation.
- Head trauma → damage to round cochlear window → leakage of perilymph from semicircular canals.
Diagnosis
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Treatment
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Prevention
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Outcomes
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Further Reading
Publications
Refereed papers
- Recent references from PubMed and VetMedResource.
- Garosi L S et al (2001) Results of magnetic resonance imaging in dogs with vestibular disorders - 85 cases (1996-1999). JAVMA 218 (3), 385-391 PubMed.
- Dvir E et al (2000) Magnetic resonance imaging of otitis media in a dog. Vet Radiol 41 (1), 46-49 PubMed.
Other sources of information
- Rosychuk R A Wet al(2000)diseases of the ear.In:Textbook of Veterinary Internal Medicine.5th edn. Eds: S J Ettinger & E C Feldman. Philadelphia: W B Saunders. pp 986-1002.