Ear malformations

What are ear malformations?

Ear malformations are anatomical alterations that occur at birth. These malformations can be genetic or environmental, i.e. they can be caused by diseases or infections at the time of pregnancy.

There are different types of ear malformations:

  • Appendages
  • Fistulas
  • Preauricular cysts
  • Cysts in the first branchial cleft
  • Ear appendages
  • Aplasia of Michel
  • Mondini’s aplasia
  • Aplasia of Scheibe
  • Aplasia of Alexander
  • Temporal bone fractures
  • Longitudinal fractures
  • Transverse fractures
  • Mixed fractures
  • Barotrauma
  • Blast injury
  • Glomus tumors
  • Pontocerebellar angle tumors
  • Acoustic neuroma
  • Meningioma
  • Schwannoma of the facial nerve

Prognosis of the disease

In most cases, when a timely diagnosis is made and the most appropriate treatment for the ear malformation is indicated, the prognosis of the disease is usually good.

Symptoms of ear malformations

Symptoms that may indicate an ear malformation include the following:

  • Swelling
  • Discharge
  • Cystic formations
  • Facial paralysis
  • Tympano-ossicular abnormalities
  • Malformations of the pinna
  • Cophosis
  • Total sensorineural hearing loss
  • Vertigo
  • Hemorrhage
  • Tympanic rupture
  • Tinnitus

Medical tests for ear malformations

Diagnosis of ear malformations will require a complete physical examination. A series of audiological studies, as well as imaging tests, may be performed to confirm the diagnosis.

Audiological studies include the following tests:

  • Otoacoustic emissions
  • Audiometry
  • Tympanometry
  • Impedance testing

On the other hand, imaging tests such as computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging should also be performed in order to assess the bony structures of the ear as well as the soft tissues.

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What are the causes of ear malformations?

These malformations are usually genetic in origin. However, the causes can also be environmental. That is to say, these alterations can be caused by diseases, by infections during pregnancy or by the ingestion of drugs or alcohol.

Can it be prevented?

When the malformation is caused by a genetic cause, it cannot be prevented. However, environmental malformations can be prevented by avoiding the use of drugs and alcohol during pregnancy.

Treatments for ear malformations

The treatment of ear malformations usually consists of surgery, which must take into account two different aspects. On the one hand, the esthetic aspect that can repair the pinna and, on the other hand, the functional auditory aspect, which depends on whether the malformation is unilateral or bilateral.

In this sense, there are different techniques:

  • Reconstruction of the auricle by auriculoplasty: this is performed by obtaining rib cartilage with preservation in the thorax of the medial perichondrium.
  • Reconstruction with contralateral ear shell cartilage: performed using the Davis-Cianflone technique.
  • Reconstruction with alloplastic prosthetic material: performed using a porous silicone.
  • External silicone ears: silicone prostheses are used.
  • Corrective surgery of the artesioplasty
  • Bone conduction implants

Which specialist treats it?

The specialist in charge of treating ear malformations is the ENT physician.