Ear Diseases Flashcards
This typically occurs post-trauma (Wrestling, MMA Fighting, etc…) and presents with acute swelling and pain to the ear.
Auricular hematoma
If untreated, what would an auricular hematoma progress to?
Cauliflower Ear
How is an auricular hematoma treated?
What do you want to prevent?
I&D
Re-accumulation
Following an I&D on an auricular hematoma would you start the patient on ABx?
Why or why not?
Yes, concern for pseudomonas infections
This often presents as worsening ear pain, often times associated with swimming, slight hearing loss, and tenderness
Otitis Externa (Swimmer’s Ear)
Otitis externa is an infection of what parts of the ear?
Auditory Canal
Pinna
Other than swimming, in children what is another common cause of otitis externa?
Foreign Body
Other than swimming, in adults what is another common cause of otitis externa?
Mechanical injury
Otitis externa is commonly what two organisms?
Pseudomonas aeruginosa
Staph aureus
What are various treatment methods of Otitis Externa?
- Alcohol/Acetic Acid to acidify the environment
- Steroids if severe inflammation
- Fluoroquinolone drops
If you see pain out of proportion on examining a patient with suspected otitis externa, what should you think?
Malignant Otitis Externa
If you see a patient with suspected malignant otitis externa in a primary care setting, what should you management be?
ENT referral for debridement
What is the most concerning complication of a malignant otitis externa?
How is this treated?
What population is this most concerning in?
Necrotizing Otitis Externa (Medical Emergency)
IV ABx and debridement
Immunocompromisied and Diabetics
Ear canal lacerations are most commonly caused by what?
Foreign Body in the ear canal (Ex: Q-tips)
How are ear canal lacerations treated?
ABx
Steroids
Leave ‘clot’ in place as it acts like a scab
This is a variant of otitis externa primarily caused by fungal overgrowth
Otomycosis
What is the primary treatment for Otomycosis?
Fungal Debridement
Acidification
Antifungals (Ketoconazole)
What will happen if you treat otomycosis with ABx?
Exacerbation of the disease
This can present as a gradual hearing loss and a feeling of your ears “being plugged up”
Cerumen impaction
Other than hearing loss, what are additional Sx of cerumen impaction?
Pain
tinnitus
Vertigo
Fullness
Cerumen impaction can cause up to a ____ dB reduction in hearing.
40
When should you attempt to remove a foreign body from the ear canal?
Only if you feel comfortable removing it and understand the circumstances.
(Remember: Sometimes the complications outweigh the benefits)
What might children need in order to attempt to remove a foreign body from the ear canal?
Sedation
General Anesthesia
Why are batteries considered a medical emergency?
They can erode the tissues of the ear
What is concerning about organic materials in the ear canal?
There is a risk of swelling when wet