Approach to Otorrhea

Question 1

Approach to otorrhea, consider

Answer 1

A. Type of discharge
Purulent
- infection

Blood
- trauma
If ear drum intact, likely trauma to EAC, ear canal fracture
Traumatic TM perforation
- tumour (can cause TM perforation)

Clear/serous
- CSF/mucous

B. Associated symptoms

In general, otorrhea is usually from outer ear
Middle ear only if there is TM perforation
TRO CSF otorrhea -> base of skull fractures