AOM Flashcards
What is the definition of ASOM?
Infection of the middle ear, commonly seen in children
What are the characteristics of acute otitis media (AOM)?
Less than 3 weeks duration
What anatomical feature contributes to AOM in children?
Children’s eustachian tube is shorter, narrow, and horizontal
What is the primary dysfunction associated with upper respiratory tract infections and AOM?
Eustachian tube dysfunction
What are some predisposing factors for AOM?
- Cleft palate
- Down syndrome
- Cystic fibrosis
What occurs when there is a perforation of the tympanic membrane (TM)?
Temporal bone infection
What is the first stage of AOM characterized by?
Swelling and edema of the eustachian tube, leading to negative pressure in the middle ear
What are common symptoms of the first stage of AOM?
- Irritation (infants)
- Fever
- Otalgia (ear pain)
- Deafness
- Fullness of ear
- No fever
What signs are associated with the first stage of AOM?
- Retraction pocket
- Conductive hearing loss
What is the second stage of AOM known as?
Pre-suppurative stage
What symptoms are typical of the second stage of AOM?
- Marked pain
- Bubbling sound
- High fever
- Deafness
- Difficulty in feeding (infants)
What signs are present during the second stage of AOM?
- Hyperemia of TM
- Exudates
What is the symptom progression in stage 5 of AOM?
Increased pain and deafness
What are some complications associated with stage 5 of AOM?
- TM burst (pinpoint perforation)
- Pulsatile discharge (light house sign)
Which bacteria are commonly associated with AOM?
- Streptococcus pneumoniae
- Moraxella catarrhalis
- Haemophilus influenzae
What viruses can contribute to AOM?
- Adenovirus
- Rhinovirus
What is the primary method for diagnosing AOM?
Otoscopy based on the stages
What tests are used in the diagnosis of AOM?
- Turning fork test
- Impedance audiometry
What is the difference between AOM and otitis media with effusion?
AOM is characterized by infection, while otitis media with effusion is fluid accumulation without infection
What are some underlying causes of recurrent AOM?
- Ciliary dysfunction
- Adenoid hyperplasia
- Edema of eustachian tube
- Allergies
- Smoking
What is the significance of tympanometry in AOM diagnosis?
It assesses the mobility of the tympanic membrane and middle ear pressure
What is a type A tympanogram indicative of?
Normal middle ear function
What does a type B tympanogram indicate?
Fluid in the middle ear, indicating no compliance
Fill in the blank: The treatment for AOM may include _______.
[antibiotics, anti-inflammatory medications]
True or False: AOM typically resolves without treatment in 6 months.
True
