[9] Otitis Media Flashcards
What is otitis media (OM)?
An umbrella term for a group of complex infective and inflammatory conditions affecting the middle ear
What do all types of OM involve?
Pathology of the middle ear and middle ear mucosa
What is an important subtype of OM?
Acute otitis media (AOM) - these cards are really just about AOM
What is AOM?
An acute inflammation of the middle ear usually caused by bacterial or viral infection
What is a subtype of AOM?
Acute suppurative
What is acute suppurative otitis media?
AOM characterised by pus in the middle ear
From where do most infective organisms travel to the middle ear?
Nasopharynx
How do organisms travel from the nasopharynx to the middle ear?
Via the eustachian tube
Who is more vulnerable to middle ear infections?
Younger children
Why are younger children more at risk of OM?
The angle between the eustachian tube and the pharyngeal wall is less acute
Why do children become less prone to OM as they get older?
The angle between the pharyngeal wall and the eustachian tube becomes more acute
What are most cases of AOM considered to be related to?
Preceding or concomitant URTI
What percentage of AOM is due to bacterial infection?
~70%
What are the most common bacterial pathogens in AOM?
- Haemophilus influenza
- Streptococcus pneumoniae
- Moraxella catarrhalis
- Streptococcus pyogenes
What are the most common viral causes of AOM?
- RSV
- Rhinovirus