[Auditory canal hemorrhage as a symptom of mandibular trauma]

Auditory canal hemorrhage is usually a sign of a basal skull fracture. It is commonly unknown that this sign can also be a symptom of combined fracture of the external auditory canal and the mandibular condyle. In our investigations of patients with maxillofacial injuries we found in 15% of 197 fractures of the mandibular condyle within 3 years this combination. In sequence of these results there is a differential diagnostic need for an exact investigation to clear up these various causes in each case as first step toward an accurate therapy. The mechanism of these fractures, their etiology, and therapy are discussed with special reference to possible complications.20