[12] Acute Otitis Media Flashcards
What is acute otitis media?
Acute inflammation of the middle ear
Who is acute otitis media more common in?
Children
Does acute otitis media only affect children?
No, affects all age groups including neonates
What is the usual underlying cause of acute otitis media?
Infection
How do bacteria and other organisms usually enter the middle ear?
Via the eustachian tube
Why are children more prone to acute otitis media?
The horizontal anatomy of their eustachian tubes
Why is a horizontal eustachian tube a risk factor for bacteria entering the middle ear?
When there is increased pressure (e.g. coughing or sneezing) the eustachian tube is less likely to close and so organisms are forced into the middle ear
What are the common causative bacteria in acute otitis media?
- H. influenzae
- Strep. pneumoniae
- Moraxella catarrhalis
- Strep. pyogenes
What are the common viral pathogens in acute otitis media?
- RSV
- Rhinovirus
What are the risk factors for developing acute otitis media?
- Young age
- Parental/passive smoking
- Previous URTI
- Presence of enlarged adenoids
- Bottle feeding or dummy use
- GORD (in adult)
- High BMI
What is the peak age of risk for acute otitis media?
6-24 months
How does breastfeeding affect the risk of acute otitis media?
It it protective
What are the common symptoms of acute otitis media?
- Pain (otalgia)
- Malaise
- Fever
- Coryzal symptoms
How may otalgia be recognised in young children?
- Tugging the ear
- Irritable
- Disinterested in food
- Vomiting
How may the TM appear on examination of acute otitis media?
- Erythematous
- Bulging
- Small tear with yellow/purulent discharge