Anomalies of the Outer Ear

Question 1

What does idiopathic mean?

Answer 1

Underlying cause is unknown

Question 2

What is congenital?

Answer 2

Present at birth

Question 3

What is genetic?

Answer 3

Arising from the genes

Question 4

What is acquired?

Answer 4

Caused after birth

Question 5

What is prelingual? Postlingual?

Answer 5

Occuring before or after speech and language development

Question 6

What is otalgia?

Answer 6

Ear pain

Question 7

What is erythema?

Answer 7

Redness of skin or membranes

Question 8

What is edema?

Answer 8

Swelling with excess fluid

Question 9

What is dysplasia? What type of anomaly is this?

Answer 9

Malformation of the anatomical structure- congenital.

Question 10

What is auditory canal stenosis? What type of anomaly is it?

Answer 10

Abnormally narrow canal. Can be congenital or acquired by trauma or inflammation! Usually no surgery unless more problems caused by it- cerumen blockages are more likely.

Question 11

What is auditory canal atresia? What type of anomaly?

Answer 11

Absence of the EAM. Congenital always. Inner ear remains normal but outer and middle are not.

Question 12

What is microtia?

Answer 12

Abnormally small pinna with different grades I-IV. Grade 4 is anotis. Congenital.

Question 13

What is anotia? What does it often occur with?

Answer 13

Complete absence of the pinna. Often occurs with auditory canal atresia. Congenital.

Question 14

What are preauricular lesions? Is surgery necessary?

Answer 14

Consist of pits or tags. Pits are benign congenital malformations of soft tissue that present as a dent or dimple. Typically present on one side but can be bilateral. Tags are epithelium with cartilage present in the stalk. For pits, surgery is necessary for chronic infections, for tags, mostly cosmetic.

Question 15

What is impacted cerumen?

Answer 15

Most common acquired outer ear anomaly that may cause hearing loss, pain, dizziness…

Question 16

What are some examples of foreign bodies and trauma?

Answer 16

Toys, bugs, erasers, qtips… Trauma can be cuts, scrapes, or even fractures of bones surrounding the ear. Often the canal will swell around item, attempting to expel it.

Question 17

What is otitis externa? What is one example?

Answer 17

Inflammation of the external ear. Many types! Cauliflower ear is one example- where boxers who have endured repeated trauma have swelling due to hematomas blocking the flow of nutrients to the ear.

Question 18

What is acute diffuse otitis externa?

Answer 18

Most common form of otitis externa that is typically seen in swimmers. Usually bacterial infection with a rapid onset that affects entire canal. Treat with antibiotics.

Question 19

What is acute localized otitis externa? AKA furunculosis

Answer 19

Associated with infection of a hair follicle- abcess of skin that presents as a boil. Resolves on own.

Question 20

What is chronic otitis externa?

Answer 20

Same as acute diffuse otitis externa (swimmer’s ear) but is of longer duration- >6 weeks. Will continue to spread if left untreated.

Question 21

What is eczematous otitis externa?

Answer 21

Various dermatologic conditions such as psoriasis, systemic lupus, dermatitis, and eczema that may infect the external auditory canal and cause otitis externa. Will cause itching and drying.

Question 22

What is necrotizing/malignant otitis externa?

Answer 22

Infection that extends into the deeper tissues adjacent to the external auditory canal- occurs in immunocompromised adults. Will erode away landmarks as it continues it’s path untreated.

Question 23

What is otomycosis?

Answer 23

An infection of the ear canal from a fungal species occurring more often in humid climates.

Question 24

What are exostoses?

Answer 24

Bony growths that form in external ear canal as a protective mechanism against cold water.

Question 25

What is an osteoma?

Answer 25

Bony growth of temporal bone that can grow to obstruct canal and cause pain and hearing loss. Only an issue if it is too large. One side as opposed to exostoses.

Question 26

What is a granuloma?

Answer 26

Blood vessel covered cyst that may cause patient’s to hear hearbeat in ear.

Question 27

What is a lesion?

Answer 27

Disorder or insult affecting the auditory system