Diode laser-assisted transcanal endoscopic removal of an aural polyp in the external auditory canal of a dog.

BACKGROUND

In humans, aural polyps comprise fibrovascular tissue covered by the respiratory epithelium. Aural polyps with ciliated epithelium are common in cats but are rarely reported in dogs. In a previous case, a mass filled the tympanic cavity alone, and it was surgically removed.

OBJECTIVES

To report a case of a canine aural polyp with ciliated epithelium extending from the dorsal tympanic cavity to the external auditory canal with detailed otological features and to demonstrate the usefulness of the transcanal endoscopic procedure (TEP) with a diode laser as a less-invasive therapy.

METHODS

A 12-year-old castrated male Cavalier King Charles Spaniel presented with a 6-month history of unilateral chronic otorrhoea. Video-otoscope examination revealed a protruding, reddish and soft-to-rubbery round mass in the right horizontal ear canal. Computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging further revealed a smooth mass extending from the dorsal portion of the tympanic cavity into the horizontal part of the external auditory canal. However, it showed no lesions in the dorsal tympanic cavity.

RESULTS

The mass was removed using aural forceps by a traction-torsion manoeuvre. The suspected base of the mass on the caudal side of the upper tympanic cavity was confirmed by a rigid scope, and it was completely vaporised with a diode laser. Histopathology revealed foci of columnar ciliated epithelium embedded in the connective tissue encapsulated by stratified squamous epithelium. No recurrence was observed at 3 years and 8 months.

CONCLUSION

We describe a rare case of an aural polyp with ciliated epithelium extending from the upper-middle ear to the external auditory canal in a dog. The TEP using a diode laser may be a useful minimally invasive treatment option for managing external auditory canal polyps.