A prospective survey of patients with presumed accidental ear injury presenting to a paediatric accident and emergency department.
OBJECTIVE
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.
Steele
B D
BD
Accident and Emergency Department, Sheffield Children's Hospital, Sheffield, UK.
Brennan
P O
PO
D000058:Accidental Falls / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003288:Contusions / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000628:therapy; D004431:Ear, External / Q000293:injuries*; D004636:Emergency Service, Hospital; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D022125:Lacerations / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000628:therapy; D008297:Male; D011446:Prospective Studies; D006113:United Kingdom / Q000453:epidemiology