Platelet- Rich Plasma Treatment Supported by Ultrasound Detection of Septa in Recurrent Canine Aural Hematoma: A Case Series

SIMPLE SUMMARY: Canine aural hematoma management usually involves invasive surgery or prolonged pharmacologic treatments and is often linked to a high relapse rate. A correct diagnosis, associated with proper follow-up, is crucial for the success of the treatment. In this work, we report the treatment of 11 dogs (12 ears) affected by both acute and chronic aural hematoma with an innovative therapy based on Platelet- Rich Plasma (PRP). Ultrasound guidance was used to identify the presence of multiple and non-communicating chambers. Furthermore, in patients with pendulous ears, a bandage was applied to facilitate the post-treatment management. The results obtained in the study suggest that the PRP injection can be an effective alternative for the treatment of both chronic and acute aural hematoma without relapses in the long-term follow-up. ABSTRACT: Aural hematoma is a common pathological condition in veterinary practice with a high incidence rate in dogs. Drainage, corticosteroid injections, and surgical approaches represent the common treatments in these clinical cases. However, surgery leaves visible signs and is usually correlated with recurrence, scars, and deformation of the treated pinna. For this reason, more effective and less invasive methods have been proposed over the years. Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) is one of the most promising options due to its pro-regenerative properties and capability to modulate the inflammatory state. The present work reports 12 cases of canine aural hematoma treated with PRP. The PRP treatment was combined with an ultrasound evaluation of the pinna to detect and treat all involved septa. The results show that relatively large volumes (2 mL) of PRP associated with an ultrasound guide are safe and efficacious in the treatment of canine aural hematoma requiring a maximum of two infiltrations, both in acute and chronic conditions. All the patients recovered their normal ear thickness (compared with the controlateral one) without relapses, averaging 38.5 days from their first treatment (10–90 days; SD: 24.7). The key role of PRP combined with a tailored diagnosis process carried out by the veterinarian, which included using an ultrasound system and the proper bandage, suggests that this approach may represent a valid alternative to surgery and corticosteroids.