AOM & OME

Question 1

Otitis Media with Effusion (OME/ ‘glue ear’) definition

Answer 1

Inflammation of the middle ear accompanied by accumulation of fluid without the symptoms and signs of acute infection/inflammation

Question 2

Acute otitis media definition

Answer 2

Inflammation of the middle ear accompanied by the symptoms and signs of acute infection with / without an accumulation of fluid

Question 3

AOM vs OME

Question 4

OME aetiology

Answer 4

Recurrent URTI &/ AOM
Prematurity, immunodeficiency
Craniofacial abnormalities

Question 5

what is the Eustachian tube dysfunction theory for OME

Answer 5

Smaller eustachian tube => OME

Question 6

OME clinical features

Answer 6

Deafness
- poor school performance,
- behaviour problems
- speech delay

NOT otalgia => AOM

Question 7

How would OME appear on Otoscopy

Answer 7

TM retraction, reduced mobility & altered colour
Visible effusion

Question 8

OME diagnosis

Answer 8

History with otoscopy
Conduction hearing loss tuning fork test
Pure tone & audiometry & tympanometry

Question 9

OME treatment

Answer 9

• Wait and see, review @ 3 months
• If persistent symptoms => ENT referral
  
  • Grommets
  • Adenoidectomy (esp if nasal symptoms)