Anomalies of the Middle Ear Flashcards
What is the most commonly seen middle ear anomaly?
Otitis media. (middle ear infection)
How do we classify otitis media?
Can present with or without effusion (fluid presence), and then by fluid type- serous (fluid without infection) or suppurative otitis media (infected). Finally, acute, recurrent, or chronic.
What are the symptoms of otitis media?
If not cleared, thickened fluid will cause blockage and hearing impairment, otalgia…
What are acquired middle ear disorders?
Otitis media Tympanic membrane perforations Atelectasis of the middle ear space Cholesteatoma Tympanosclerosis Trauma Tumors Otosclerosis
How is otitis media classified?
- With or without effusion
- Fluid type
- -Serous-no infection
- -Suppurative-purulent or infected (usually bacterial)
- Duration
- -Acute- with onset of fever, rapid onset
- -Recrurrent- several episodes in short period
- -Chronic- persistent effusion in the middle ear
What type of otitis media is associated with thick fluid, longterm blockage, and hearing impairment?
Chronic otitis media
How does OME progress?
Eustachian tube is blocked by swelling/won’t open
Middle ear is anaerobic- mucus membrane uses oxygen and cells die- creates negative pressure in middle ear
Middle ear fills with fluid from dead cells and negative pressure= fluid filled middle ear
Fluid either does or doesn’t become infected
If Eustachian tube doesn’t open, fluid thickens, it worsens…
OR it opens on own to drain
How does fluid become infected?
Through bacteria from Eustachian tube into middle ear
Can you always see fluid in the ear?
No, not if it’s too low
How does acute media otitis improve? Are antibiotics beneficial? What can we use if it is chronic?
Usually spontaneously! Not always beneficial- only suppurative will benefit. PE tubes if chronic.
Who is most likely to suffer from middle ear infections?
Males Fam history Bottle fed babies Day care Palate abnormalities People near cigarette smoke Poor immune systems/chronic respiratory diseases
What can happen if OME untreated?
Tympanic membrane could burst from pressure Ossicles may be eroded from fluid -mastoid cells- mastoiditis -tegmen tympani- brain abcess Thick fluid can cause atelectasis to occur, causing TM to retract/wrap around ossicles Dizziness, pain, Polyps Facial nerve problems Cholesteatoma
What can cause tinny taste in food?
Facial nerve problems in chords tympani- untreated OME
What types of PE tubes are used?
Button type for children
Larger deeper tubes for permanency- keeps ear drained
What can happen with buttons/PE tubes
They can fall out- get stuck in canal
