Prevalence of incidental and causative otitis in 380 client-owned dogs undergoing brain magnetic resonance imaging for signs of vestibular and non-vestibular disease.

Otitis media is frequently an incidental MRI finding, especially in brachycephalic breeds like French Bulldogs.

This retrospective, single-institution study evaluated the prevalence of otitis media (OM) and otitis interna (OI) in 380 client-owned dogs undergoing brain MRI for neurological signs, including both vestibular and non-vestibular presentations. The authors hypothesized that approximately 10% of dogs would have incidental OM and that brachycephalic breeds would be disproportionately affected. Results confirmed both hypotheses: 60 dogs (15.7%) had otitis of any kind, with 45 (11.8%) classified as incidental findings. Only 15 dogs (3.9%) had otitis identified as the primary cause of clinical signs, all involving OM and nearly all with concurrent OI. OM was the most prevalent form overall, identified in 54 dogs (14.2%). French Bulldogs were the most represented breed (32/380, 8.4%), with 56% showing evidence of otitis—5 causatively and 13 incidentally. Statistical analysis included bivariable and multivariable logistic regression, with Fisher's exact test used for association testing. The high rate of incidental OM, particularly in brachycephalic breeds, underscores the importance of interpreting MRI findings in the context of the patient's full clinical picture. Clinicians should exercise caution when attributing neurological signs solely to otitis findings on MRI, as OM may frequently represent an incidental rather than causative diagnosis, particularly in brachycephalic dogs. These findings support a structured diagnostic approach when evaluating dogs with neurological disease.

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