Disorders Affecting the Middle Ear Flashcards
What is otitis media with effusion?
An infectious inflammation of the ME that results in the accumulation of the fluid (effusion) in the middle ear cavity
Primarily child disorder
What is often misdiagnosed as acute OM?
Acute myringitis
Redness of the TM without effusion
Excessive blowing the nose/crying can also cause redness of TM
Is OME a historical disorder?
Yes
TM perfs and mastoid bone destruction reported in Egyptian mummies
Can you just base diagnosis of OME on otoscopic exam?
No
Who does OME affect?
Primarily children and infants
World wide
Is OME the second common reason for visits to pediatrician?
Yes
First is viral infections
What is the incidence for OM in urban areas?
90% within the first 2 years of life
Is age inversely related to prevalence of OME?
Yes
What percentage of kids will have at least one episode of OME by 1 year of age?
50%
What percentage of kids will have at least one incidence of OME before starting school?
60 to 70%
What percentage of kids will have recurrent OME during the first 3 years of life?
35%
Of these children, 5-10% will develop chronic OME
What percentage of kids will have prevalence of OME at age 6?
5%
Can OME occur in adults?
Yes
Rare, but possible
Could be a symptom, not the actual problem
Must look to see if there is other problem
What racial groups have the greatest incidence of OME?
Eskimos, native americans, hispanics, and australian aborigines
Is OME more common in caucasians and less common in asians and blacks?
Yes
Is there a slightly higher incidence in males than females?
Yes
What are the peak incidence months of OME?
Between October and April
Declines in summer months
Is there a greater incidence in children with a history of upper respiratory illnesses such as colds, asthma, and allergies?
Yes
Why is there a greater incidence in eskimos, native americans, hispanics, and australian aborigines?
Due to their anatomy of the skull base and ET
Flat face, bigger nose
When do children generally outgrow susceptibility to OM?
By 6 to 8 years of age
As ET assumes adult proportions
What are the anatomical differences between adult and children’s ET?
Child has a short and horizontal ET composed of flaccid cartilage
10 degrees vs 45 degrees
Is the ET the most likely route of bacterial entry in the ME?
Yes
Through retrograde reflux of nasopharynx secretions
What are three factors that can facilitate bacterial reflux in the ME?
Bacterial colonization of the nasopharynx
Incompetence of the protective function of the ET
Negative pressure in the ME in relation to the nasopharynx
Is it presumed that during acute OM, ciliary function of the ET and ME are impaired?
Yes
It affects the clearance of secretions
Are common pathogens that cause OM also commonly found in upper respiratory tract infections?
Yes
What are some bacterial infections that can result in OM?
Streptococcus pneumoniae
Hemophilus influenzae
What are some common viral infections that can cause OM?
Respiratory syncytial virus (most common)
Rhinovirus
Parainfluenza virus
Influenza virus
Can cleft palate cause OME?
Yes
But incidence decreases after repair
Can some craniofacial disorders result in OME?
Yes
Treacher Collins
Down’s syndrome
Can ciliary dysfunction result in OM?
Yes
Disorders of mucociliary clearance such as kartagener’s syndrome and cystic fibrosis
Can environmental allergies result in OM?
Yes
Can immune dysfunction result in OM?
Yes
AIDS, steroid therapy, and chemotherapy
Can eustachian tube abnormalities result in OM?
Yes
Impaired opening
Shorter tube
Can obstruction result in OM?
Yes
Nasogastric tubes
Adenoids/tonsils
Tumors
What three criteria does acute otitis media need to meet for diagnosis?
Acute onset
ME inflammation
ME effusion (fluid build-up of ME)
Who set the criteria for acute otitis media?
American Academy of Pediatrics and The American Academy of Family Physicians
Is AOM short term (3 weeks or shorter)?
Yes
Is AOM characterized by otalgia and redness of the TM with effusion?
Yes
Are there two categories of AOM?
Yes
Severe
Non-severe
What is severe AOM?
Moderate to severe otalgia and temp > 102 degrees F
What is non-severe AOM?
Mild otalgia and temp < 102 degrees F
Is AOM often over-diagnosed?
Yes
What characterizes a sub-acute OM?
Persisting for 3 weeks to 3 months
What characterizes recurrent OM?
Multiple self-limiting episodes with symptom-free periods between flare-ups
3 or more episodes within a 6 month period
4 or more episodes within a year
What characterizes chronic OM?
Condition persisting of >3 months
Generally with effusion but without other signs of inflammation (fever or otalgia)
Does middle ear effusion almost always follow AOM?
Yes
Can take up to 2 to 3 weeks to clear post treatment
What is persistent middle ear effusion?
Effusion can persist for an average of 40 days
High incidence in children (children <2 years more likely to have persistent MEE)
Higher incidence for caucasian children
Can serious effusion occur without OM?
Yes
In barotrauma, following an airplane trip, or seasonal allergies
What is another way to classify OM?
Fluid composition
What are the different kinds of fluid composition?
Serous OM
Mucoid OM
Purulent OM
Chronic mucoid OM
What is serous OM?
SOM
Clear
What is mucoid OM?
MOM
Thick and colored
What is purulent OM?
POM
Odorous and thick
What is another term for chronic mucoid OM?
Glue ear
What is chronic mucoid OM?
Self-limiting in most cases
If chronic low grade ME infection persists due to chronic ET dysfunction it will lead to ME cavity filling with gelatinous inflammatory exudate/cellular debris
May lead to retraction of TM and ultimately formation of retraction pockets and bone erosion
Is OM dynamic?
Yes
Classification is not a distinct entity
SOM may progress to MOM and so on
What are some risk factors for OME?
Age (peak incidence between 6-11 months of age)
ET dysfunction
Craniofacial anomalies (increased risk with cleft lip/palate and Downs)
Decreased risk for breast fed infants (stronger immune systems due to antibodies in breast milk)
Day care attendance
Susceptibility to upper respiratory tract infections/allergies
Smoking in the home including second-hand smoke
Family history of OME
Male
Low birth weight
Socio-economic status (inverse relationship between SES and OME)
Why is SES a factor for OME?
Due to lack of access to healthcare, poor diet, and overcrowding
What are some signs and symptoms of OME?
Otalgia
Fever
Erythema (redness) of the TM
Effusion in the ME
Irritability/fussiness
May not want to eat
Inconsistent responses to sound
Delayed speech and language development
Reduced attention span especially in the classroom
Do older children have otalgia and fever associated with OME?
They may not
Why do children have inconsistent responses to sound?
They may have fluctuating or mold hearing loss
What may you find in an otoscopic exam of OME?
Discolored/red TM
Opacification of normally lustrous TM
Partial/complete bulging of TM with obliteration of malleolar handle
Retracted TM
Perforation of TM
Fluid line or bubbles observed in the ME
What are some tymp results that might be seen for OME?
Flat (type B)
Neg pressure >200 daPa (type C)
Flat high volume (type B) - PE tube or perforation
Inability to get a hermetic seal with perf in older equipment
What ARTs will you see for unilateral OM?
Typically only the ipsilateral ART will be present on the unaffected side
What ARTs will you see for bilateral OM?
Ipsilateral and contralateral abnormal for both ears
What are some possible pure tone test results for OM?
May be within normal limits (but their may be a ABG exceeding 10 dB HL)
Fluctuating loss may be present
Conductive hearing loss that does not exceed 60-65 dB HL
Possible rising or reverse slope
What speech audiometry results do you expect for OM?
Normal WRS
SRT and PTA in good agreement
If OM is not treated, what can result?
Permanent/temporary CHL
Damage to ME structures (release of enzymes that result in collagen and tissue destruction - can lead to ossicular destruction and glue ear)
Cholesteatoma
Permanent high freq SNHL (toxins can go into inner ear)
What is a cholesteatoma?
Pseudo-tumor
Fast growing and invasive
Can result in a dead ear
What is the treatment for cholesteatoma?
Surgery
If any is left, it can grow back
Can untreated OM lead to auditory deprivation?
Yes
Can effect language development
Can untreated OM lead to deficits in binaural auditory processing?
Yes
Important for sound localization and hearing in noise
Can untreated OM lead to learned inattention?
Yes
They have difficult attending to auditory input
Can untreated OM lead to difficulty with sound discrimination?
Yes
Can untreated OM lead to difficulty with perception of initial and final voiced and voiceless stops (/b/ vs /p/)?
Yes
Are /b/ and /p/ sounds some of the earliest to appear in the speech of children?
Yes
What are some societal consequences of OM?
Loss of money in treatments and productivity
Most common reason for pediatrician visit
Time off work and school
Tympanostomy tube placement is the 2nd most common surgical procedure in children
Development to multi-drug resistant bacteria due to over-prescription of antibiotics and not taking the entire dose of antibiotics
What are some signs and symptoms for acute OME?
Follows upper respiratory tract infection
Fever
Otalgia
Hearing loss
Otorrhea
Systemic symptoms (nausea, general malaise (feeling blah), and lack of appetite)
What are some signs and symptoms for chronic OME?
Can be asymptomatic
May have hearing loss
May report feeling plugged
May report popping of ears
What does TM color with standard otoscopy look like for OME?
Opaque, yellowish red, red, or pink
What is the position of the TM with standard otoscopy look like for OME?
Bulging or retracted TM
What is the mobility of the TM with standard otoscopy look like for OME?
Normal, hypo-mobile, or retracted
What are some other otoscopy findings with OME?
Discharge, perforations, cholesteatoma, or retraction prockets
What type of otoscopy is the gold standard for OME?
Pneumatic
What could an audiogram look like for OME?
Conductive component or CHL
Mixed HL
SNHL
What could a tympanogram look like for OME?
Flat (Type B or Type B high volume)
Negative pressure (Type C)
Abnormal gradient/width
What do acoustic reflexes look like for OME?
Abnormal or absent
Cannot raise level to overcome conductive hearing loss
How is OME managed?
Observation (if no symptoms)
Medication
Myringotomy (incision) - done with fluid-filled ME cavity and dangerously bulging TM
What medications do they prescribe for OME?
Antihistamine/decongestants
Antibiotics (Amoxicillin)
How long is an amoxicillin dose?
7 to 10 days
What percentage of OME will clear up in 7-14 days without treatment?
81%
What percentage of OME will clear up in 7-14 days with treatment?
94%
How long can effusion persist following antibiotic therapy and after infection resolution?
2-3 weeks
How long should you wait to follow up with a tymp after OME treatment?
2-3 weeks post antibiotics
Why are prophylactic (prevention) and prolonged antibiotics contraindicated for management of chronic OM?
Due to an increased risk of antibiotic resistance
Can manipulation of existing environment decrease risk for chronic OME?
Yes
Is there typically watchful waiting for up to 3 months for children without hearing loss or not at-risk for speech and language delays?
Yes
What quadrants are PE tubes placed in?
Anteroinferior and maybe posteroinferior
Are adenoidectomy and/or tonsillectomy needed for management of chronic OME?
Maybe
It decreases the need for repeated PE tube replacement
Is chronic OM more common after the advent of antibiotics because perforation of the TM became less prevalent?
Yes
Perf allowed for drainage of fluid
Prevented chronic OM
What are some complications with OME?
Acute mastoiditis
Ossicular erosion resulting in CHL
SNHL (high freq)
Facial nerve paralysis
Labyrinthine fistula
Meningitis
Brain abscess
How does SNHL occur due to OME?
Caused by permeation of toxins through the round window
Positively correlated with severity and duration of OME
Why does OME cause facial nerve paralysis?
Caused by involvement of CN VII by infection through bony dehiscence, inflammatory edema causing nerve compression, etc.
What is a labyrinthine fistula?
Opening to labyrinth
What causes a labyrinthine fistula in OME?
Infection or cholesteatoma
What is a cholesteatoma?
A pseudotumor that can occupy the external ear canal, ME cavity, or extend through the mastoid bone into the brain cavity
Are cholesteatomas highly aggressive?
Yes
They are also very fast growing
Are cholesteatomas highly erosive?
Yes
They eat through everything
What could explain the highly aggressive behavior of cholesteatomas?
Invasive fibroblasts
Not found in normal skin
Can cholesteatomas be congenital and acquired?
Yes
What is congenital cholesteatoma?
Almost always present in children
Median age is 5 years
3:1 male to female
TM can be normal without history of perf, otorrhea, or myringotomy
Anterior-superior most common area
Etiology is controversial
What is acquired cholesteatoma?
More common
Due to chronic or untreated OME or trauma leading to TM perf
Also could be a result of TM retraction in the pars flaccida
Previous ear surgery/TM perf may be growth site
Slow growing
Usually present first with a hearing loss
What are latrogenic cholesteatoma?
May result because of blunt knife used during myringotomy
May lead to implantation of squamous epithelium in the ME cavity
How do cholesteatomas grow?
By forming a keratinized epithelial layer and a fibrous subepithelial layer called matrix
Keratin (dead skin cells and debris) builds up and gets covered by cells forming a keratoma
This will evoke inflammatory reaction leading to formation of cholesteatoma
From the growth spot, where can cholesteatomas grow and engulf?
Ossicles
Mastoid (resulting in mastoiditis)
If the cholesteatoma is large enough, can it exert pressure on CN VII and cause facial palsy?
Yes
Can a cholesteatoma become secondarily infected and produce otorrhea?
Yes
What are the otoscopic findings of a cholesteatoma?
Variable
Can be normal or show perfs and/or otorrhea
What are the tympanogram findings of a cholesteatoma if the TM and ossicles are not damaged?
Normal