DOI: https://doi.org/10.36347/sasjs.2026.v12i01.013

Pages: 77-80

Background: Pressure-related injuries, including blast exposure and barotrauma, may result in a wide spectrum of otolaryngological lesions. The ear is particularly vulnerable to sudden pressure changes, leading to auditory and vestibular symptoms that may represent a medical emergency. Objective: To assess the otolaryngological consequences of pressure-related injuries, with particular emphasis on auricular barotrauma, and to describe the diagnostic and therapeutic management based on a prospective clinical study. Methods: A prospective study was conducted in the Otolaryngology Department of the Specialty Hospital of Rabat, Morocco, between September 2021 and September 2022. Fifty patients presenting to the ENT emergency department following a pressure-related injury were included. Clinical examination, otoscopic findings, and pure-tone audiometry were analyzed, along with therapeutic outcomes. Results: All patients presented with auricular barotrauma secondary to a direct blast mechanism. Tinnitus was the most frequent symptom (94%), followed by hearing loss (30%) and vertigo (6%). Otoscopic examination was normal in 90% of cases, while tympanic membrane perforation was observed in 6%. Audiometry was normal in 86% of patients; 14% showed mild unilateral conductive hearing loss. Clinical evolution was favorable in 90% of cases, with persistent hearing impairment in 10%. Conclusion: Auricular barotrauma is the most common ENT manifestation of pressure-related injuries. Although prognosis is generally favorable, careful clinical, audiological, and long-term follow-up is required to detect persistent sequelae and prevent complications.