Ear Disorders Flashcards
A child with a preauricular pit is at increased risk for what kind of impairment?
Hearing impairment
Describe the relationship between preauricular sinus/pit and renal abnormalities.
There is no association between isolated preauricular sinus/pit and renal abnormalities. However, if the infant has other associated congenital abnormalities or hearing loss, a renal ultrasound should be performed to rule out associated syndromes.
What are the most common pathogens in otitis externa?
Pseudomonas aeruginosa and S. aureus
What physical exam finding can be used to distinguish otitis externa from otitis media?
Worsening pain with manipulation of the pinna is concerning for otitis externa, as it is not present in patients with otitis media.
What is the typical treatment for otitis externa?
Treatment consists of a topical antibiotic and glucocorticoid. Fluoroquinolones (ofloxacin and ciprofloxacin) are preferred, but aminoglycosides and polymyxin B may be used as well. Treat for 7-14 days. Fluoroquinolones are administered 2x/day, while the other antibiotics must be given 3-4x/day.
What is the typical management of foreign bodies in the ear?
Removal techniques include irrigation and instrumentation under direct visualization. Mineral oil or lidocaine can be placed in the ear canal to kill live insects prior to removal.
When should patients with foreign bodies of the ear be referred to ENT?
If proper instruments for removal are not available or if removal is difficult.
What is the recommended management of auricular hematoma?
Drain as soon as possible to prevent necrosis and cauliflower ear. Refer to ENT if drainage is delayed >7 days.
What is an auricular hematoma?
It is an accumulation of blood between the cartilage and the perichondrium that interrupts the blood supply to the cartilage.
What are the most common bacterial pathogens of acute otitis media?
S. pneumoniae, nontypeable H. influenzae, and Moraxella catarrhalis.
What are some (5) risk factors for development of otitis media?
Age (6-18 months), family history, day care attendance, lack of breastfeeding, and tobacco smoke exposure.
What physical exam findings are required for diagnosis of acute otitis media?
Bulging tympanic membrane, middle ear effusion, and opaque tympanic membrane.
What is the recommended antibiotic regimen for patients diagnosed with acute otitis media?
High dose (90 mg/kg/day) amoxicillin, with recommendation to broaden to amoxicillin/clavulanate or 2nd/3rd generation cephalosporin if patients fail to respond within 48 hours.
What is the recommended initial management of children 6 months - 2 years of age with unilateral AOM without otorrhea?
Observation, with initiation of antibiotic therapy only if the child worsens or fails to improve within 48-72 hours of onset.
What is the recommended initial management of children ≥2 years of age with unilateral or bilateral AOM without otorrhea?
Observation, with initiation of antibiotic therapy only if the child worsens or fails to improve within 48-72 hours of onset.
What is the definition of recurrent acute otitis media?
≥3 episodes in a 6 month period or ≥4 episodes in a 12 month period.
What is the recommended treatment for patients diagnosed with recurrent otitis media?
Prophylactic antibiotics (amox 40 mg/kg/day or sulfisoxazole 50 mg/kg/day) or tympanostomy tube placement.
What is otitis media with effusion and what is its typical clinical course?
It is a middle ear effusion without associated signs of infection. Spontaneous resolution typically occurs within 6 weeks.
Define chronic suppurative otitis media.
Chronic suppurative otitis media refers to a perforated tympanic membrane with chronic drainage lasting >6 weeks.