Auricular hematoma: A scoping review

Auricular hematoma is a clinical condition that occurs because of blunt trauma to the pinna. It is most frequently seen among male players in contact sports. In auricular hematoma, there is a collection of blood between the aural cartilage and its perichondrium, a layer that gives nutrients to the cartilage. Once blood collects in the subperichondrial space, the vascularity of the underlying cartilage will be compromised through a tamponade effect that in turn, causes necrosis and destruction of the tissue. If not treated appropriately, it can result in various complications, including perichondritis of the pinna and cauliflower ear. The definitive treatment of auricular hematoma is drainage and compressive dressing. The main methods for draining an auricular hematoma are needle aspiration, incision, and drainage. If an auricular hematoma is left untreated, the cartilage may die, and the fluid will solidify into a rubbery texture. This transformation results in an unattractive deformity of the pinna, which is commonly called the cauliflower ear. Immediate and appropriate intervention is required to prevent complications of auricular hematoma such as cauliflower ear, loss of cartilage, and necrosis. The aim of this review is to discuss an evidence-based overview of the clinical assessment and treatment of auricular hematoma.