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Emerg Med J 2002;19:226-228 doi:10.1136/emj.19.3.226
  • Original Article

A prospective survey of patients with presumed accidental ear injury presenting to a paediatric accident and emergency department

  1. B D Steele,
  2. P O Brennan
  1. Accident and Emergency Department, Sheffield Children's Hospital, Sheffield, UK
  1. Correspondence to:
 Dr P O Brennan, Accident and Emergency Department, Sheffield Children's Hospital, Western Bank, Sheffield, S10 2TH, UK;
 aetb{at}sheffch-trent.nhs.uk
  • Accepted 20 August 2001

Abstract

Objectives: To assess the characteristics of assumed accidental ear injury in children.

Methods: A prospective survey of 111 children presenting with accidental external or internal ear injuries to a paediatric accident and emergency department.

Results: The majority of patients were male (73%). Right and left sided injuries were equally common (51% right, non-bilateral). Presentation with accidental ear injury was very rare in children under the age of 1 year (n=1). Most patients were self referred (98%), and presented within six hours of injury (84%). The mechanism of injury was variable, but cotton bud induced injury was common (7%). The most common injuries were lacerations of the pinna, in 63 patients (56%). Fourteen per cent had blood in the external canal. Only three patients required admission.

Conclusions: Lacerations are the commonest form of accidental ear injury. Ear injuries that are bilateral and in children less than 1 year of age are rare and may suggest non-accidental injury. Cotton bud induced injury is common and preventable.

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