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Ear, Canal - Dilation

Image of canal dilation in the ear from a male F344/N rat in a chronic study
Ear, Canal - Dilation in a male Fischer 344/N rat from a chronic study. Dilation of the external ear canal (arrow), characterized by plugs of sloughed keratin lamellae, cerumen, and necrotic debris that occludes and distends the canal.
Figure 1 of 3
Image of canal dilation in the ear from a male B6C3F1 mouse in a chronic study
Ear, Canal - Dilation in a male B6C3F1 mouse from a chronic study. The dilated external ear canal (arrow), is distended by sloughed keratin lamellae, cerumen, and necrotic debris that occludes the canal.
Figure 2 of 3
Image of canal dilation in the ear from a male B6C3F1 mouse in a chronic study
Ear, Canal - Dilation in a male B6C3F1 mouse from a chronic study. This higher magnification image of Figure 2 shows the dilated external ear canal (arrow) plugged with sloughed keratin lamellae, cerumen, and necrotic debris in greater detail.
Figure 3 of 3
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comment:

Dilation of the external ear canal ( Figure 1image opens in a pop-up window , Figure 2image opens in a pop-up window , and Figure 3image opens in a pop-up window ) is usually secondary occlusion of the ear canal by plugs of sloughed keratin lamellae, cerumen, and necrotic debris that distends the canal. The lining epithelium may be hyperplastic. These findings usually occur in aged animals.

recommendation:

Dilation of the ear canal should be diagnosed with an appropriate topography modifier (external ear canal, etc.). Dilation should be diagnosed as present (without assignment of a severity grade). Associated lesions such as inflammation or epithelial hyperplasia should not be diagnosed separately unless warranted by severity, though they can be described in the pathology narrative.

references:

National Toxicology Program. 1990. NTP TR-378. Toxicology and Carcinogenesis Studies of Benzaldehyde (CAS No. 100-52-7) in F344/N Rats and B6C3F1 Mice (Gavage Studies). NTP, Research Triangle Park, NC.
Abstract: https://ntp.niehs.nih.gov/go/11295

National Toxicology Program. 1996. NTP TR-455. Toxicology and Carcinogenesis Studies of Codeine (CAS No. 76-57-3) in F344 Rats and B6C3F1 Mice (Feed Studies). NTP, Research Triangle Park, NC.
Abstract: https://ntp.niehs.nih.gov/go/6054

Yoshitomi K, Brown. 1990. HR. Ear and pinna. In: Pathology of the Fischer Rat: Reference and Atlas (Boorman GA, Eustis SL, Elwell MR, Montgomery CA, MacKenzie WF, eds). Academic Press, San Diego, CA, 227-238.
Abstract: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/nlmcatalog/9002563

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Web page last updated on: October 22, 2014