Cerumen in spinal cord trauma

Introduction In daily clinical routine we could observe an accumulation of ear wax in patients with a spinal cord injury. Especially individuals with higher traumatic lesions appeared to have more often ear wax. The resulting hearing losses encumber clinical rehabilitiation treatments und reduce quality of life.

Methods We used a retrospective study design based on clinical ENT-examination of patients with spinal cord lesions. We investigated documents of patients treated for ear wax from 2012 until 2016. The ear canal occlusion was examined in relation to the parameters height of the lesion, existence of dysphagia, respiratory impairment, as well as arm movement capability. Additionally the time since trauma was included.

Results In this study there was a statistically considerable dependency between height of the spinal cords lesion and the occurance of ear wax provable. There is evidence that especially a change of ear canal's skin innervation, caused by the trauma is responsable for ear wax accumulation. As well we could see a higer incidence in early phase after trauma. For the factors arm movement capability, dysphagia and respiratory dependency we could not see a significant dependency.

Conclusion The study's data illustrates, that rather than anything else a dysfunction of the sympathic nervous system caused by trauma is responsable for ear wax accumulation. The role of chewing, swallowing and the mobility of arms seem to be of minor importance.

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Publication History

Article published online:
10 June 2020