Is this a hematoma? What can I do now? (photo)

Question

Ear Doctor said it was hematoma. Had Surgery in 2017...it's back! So Painful and think it's the cause of my  headaches? Don't think it's a hematoma. Ear doctor said I would love my ear more after surgery, well it's back and worse than ever. Please help

Jacob Sedgh, MD · Answer

Thank you for your question. I absolutely advise that you go see a facial plastic surgeon or ENT to have your ear examined. It's hard for me to say without seeing you what I think the issue is possibly a hematoma  which can cause deformity if it goes untreated. We wish you the best.

Jeffrey Joseph, MD, FACS · Answer

Based on your photo, you should see an ENT or facial plastic or plastic surgeon.   At the very least, a needle should be used to see if blood(hematoma) or fluid(seroma) is present.   This will guide your future treatment and whether it should be incised, opened and drained.

Jeffrey H. Spiegel, MD · Answer

If this area is soft (squishy) or recently appeared (e.g. over the last day or two) you need to go to see a facial plastic surgeon or ear doctor right now. An auricular hematoma, as that is called, is fluid under the skin which can permanently injure the underlying cartilage and cause a significant ear deformity.  You need the fluid removed and a drain placed immediately.However, if this is old, hard, and has been there for a long while then you likely have what is called a "cauliflower ear" which can be the result of the aforementioned auricular hematoma.  In that case, there is no longer any urgency, but it will require surgery to improve.   We fix these by recreating the shape of a natural ear in the very firm scar that has formed.So, please, get this looked at urgently if it is new or feels like liquid.  If it is old and established, come see us when you are able.

Ronald J. Edelson, MD · Answer

There is definitely something under the skin that shouldn’t be there, either blood, clear fluid, or built up scar tissue. Whatever it is, I would open it up and clean it out. But first I would stick a needle in it and see if I could simply drain fluid that way.

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