Pathology of ear hematomas in swine

Abstract

The objectives of our study were to describe the pathology of ear hematomas in swine and to add to the comprehension of the pathogenesis of this condition. The pathogenesis of aural hematomas has been studied mainly in dogs; however, disagreements exist about the precise anatomic location of the hemorrhage. Sixteen pigs with ear hematoma at various stages of development were included in this study. The pigs were submitted for routine autopsy for various and unrelated reasons over a period of several years. Based on gross examination, the 16 cases of aural hematomas were subjectively classified as acute (n = 6), subacute (n = 3), and chronic (n = 7). The age of the animals at the time of autopsy ranged from 2 weeks to adulthood, with all acute cases being <7 weeks of age. Morphologic examination of all acute cases revealed that the hematoma developed predominantly in a subperichondral location on both sides of the cartilaginous plate simultaneously. Within these same cases, there were also some areas in which blood-filled clefts had formed within the cartilage itself. Besides fibroplasia, neoformation of cartilage was found to represent a significant part of the repair process. All chronic cases were characterized on cross-section of the ear by the presence of at least 2 distinct, wavy, focally folded, and roughly parallel plates of cartilage separated from each other by fibrous tissue.

Auricular and laryngeal chondritis in nursery and finishing pigs

“…high density and bad air quality), and the histological features contrast with those commonly seen in classical otohematomas, in which an intact cartilage is usually observed, separated from the cutaneous tissue by a collection of blood and fibrinous exudate, and the inflammation present is mild and not directed to the cartilage itself. 9…”

“…high density and bad air quality), and the histological features contrast with those commonly seen in classical otohematomas, in which an intact cartilage is usually observed, separated from the cutaneous tissue by a collection of blood and fibrinous exudate, and the inflammation present is mild and not directed to the cartilage itself. 9 Humans affected by RP commonly present lesions in the ears, and in half of the cases, the respiratory cartilages are affected, which leads to a worse prognosis. 6,28 In the present study, the pigs from the nursery only presented lesions in the auricular cartilages, which were considered as the initial site as finishing pigs had similar but chronic auricular lesions associated with the involvement of the larynx.…”

Management of ear hematomas in pigs

“…A ural (ear) hematomas occur due to the rupture of blood vessels resulting in a collection of blood predominantly in the subperichondral region of the cartilage within the pinna. 1 Rupture of the blood vessels within the cartilage is typically due to physical trauma from violent shaking of the ear in response to sarcoptic mange or pediculosis, bites on the ears from other pigs, necrotic ear syndrome, from handling the pig by the ear, or injuries on barn equipment. 2 If left untreated, a hematoma will resolve without any intervention; however, this can take several weeks and the hematoma may be of sufficient size as to reduce feed intake.…”

“…2 If left untreated, a hematoma will resolve without any intervention; however, this can take several weeks and the hematoma may be of sufficient size as to reduce feed intake. 1 To the authors' knowledge, no research has been published that describes the best methods to treat hematomas as a means to optimize resolution of the hematoma and the growth rate of the pig.…”