Imaging study of myringotomy in dairy calves

Abstract

Otitis media is common in dairy calves. Antibiotic treatment alone does not always result in complete resolution. Based on human paediatric medicine experience, where myringotomy tubes are commonly placed to drain purulent accumulations from the ear, it has been suggested that a myringotomy can be performed in calves. We investigated whether performing a myringotomy using a straight rigid instrument (knitting needle) is anatomically feasible in calves. Two imaging techniques and direct visualization were used to observe the trajectory of the needle and its immediate effects on the tympanic membrane. Our study shows there is no anatomic impediment to performing a myringotomy in calves with a straight rigid instrument.