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Medical Author:

John P. Cunha, DO, FACOEP

John P. Cunha, DO, FACOEP

John P. Cunha, DO, is a U.S. board-certified Emergency Medicine Physician. Dr. Cunha's educational background includes a BS in Biology from Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey, and a DO from the Kansas City University of Medicine and Biosciences in Kansas City, MO. He completed residency training in Emergency Medicine at Newark Beth Israel Medical Center in Newark, New Jersey.

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Medical Editor:

William C. Shiel Jr., MD, FACP, FACR

William C. Shiel Jr., MD, FACP, FACR

Dr. Shiel received a Bachelor of Science degree with honors from the University of Notre Dame. There he was involved in research in radiation biology and received the Huisking Scholarship. After graduating from St. Louis University School of Medicine, he completed his Internal Medicine residency and Rheumatology fellowship at the University of California, Irvine. He is board-certified in Internal Medicine and Rheumatology.

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In this Article

• What is cauliflower ear?
• What causes cauliflower ear?
• What are the symptoms of cauliflower ear?
• What is the treatment for cauliflower ear?
• What is the prognosis for cauliflower ear?
• How can cauliflower ear be prevented?
• Patient Comments: Cauliflower Ear - Cause
• Cauliflower Ear Index

Because cauliflower ear is usually due to trauma, the symptoms depend on the severity of the trauma to the ear. Symptoms of cauliflower ear include pain, swelling, bruising, and deformity of the curvature of the ear. If the trauma to the ear leads to loss of hearing, ringing in the ear (tinnitus), headaches, blurred vision, or facial swelling, the damage from the trauma could be severe and medical attention should be sought immediately.

The goals of treatment are to drain blood from the hematoma, treat any infection, and reduce inflammation in order to re-establish the connection of the skin to the underlying cartilage. Treatment usually requires draining accumulated blood (the hematoma) through an incision in the ear and applying a compressive dressing to sandwich the two sides of the skin against the cartilage. Antibiotics are given to prevent infection.

Patients may be referred to an ear, nose, and throat doctor (otolaryngologist) or plastic surgeon to treat this deformity and assure proper healing.

When treated aggressively and promptly, cauliflower ear deformity is unlikely. Any delay in diagnosis leads to more difficulty in managing the problem, increased chances for insufficient blood supply to the ear cartilage, and escalated risk of deformity.