Ear MDT Flashcards
Accumulation of blood in the subperichondrial space, usually secondary to blunt trauma
Tearing of the cartilage and the blood vessels can result in necrosis
Auricular hematoma
Superichondrial collection can lead to stimulation of the overlying perichondrium, which can lead to new cartilage formation and deformity.
Cauliflower ear
Treatment of:
Auricular hematoma
Local anesthesia
Semicircular incision to drain hematoma
Irrigation
Topical antibiotics and bandage
Symptoms and physical exam:
-Specific MOI
-Muffled sounds
-Severe pain
-Hearing disturbances/changes
Foreign body in the ear
Instruments of choice for removal of foreign objects in the ear
Cerumen loops/scoops, a right-angle hook, and alligator forceps
What should you use to drown live objects in the ear?
Lidocaine solution
What should you use for small particles such as sand or cerumen stuck in the ear?
Room temperature water
Symptoms and exam findings:
Decrease in hearing and or a sensation of pressure or fullness
Symptoms are often precipitated by the use of cotton-tipped applicators
Cerumen impaction
Cerumen impaction:
If irrigation fails, what can you use?
Cerumenolytic (Carbamide Peroxide)
-2 to 5 drops BID for 4 days
Complication of acute otitis media
Infection spreads from the middle ear to the mastoid air cells
The mastoid cavity becomes filled and inflamed
Mastoiditis
Sx: Postauricular pain and erythema accompanied by a spiking fever
Edema, tenderness, protrusion of the auricle, obliteration of the post auricular crease.
Mastoiditis
Labs/Studies:
Mastoiditis
Mastoid Radiography
CT
Culture and drainage
Treatment of:
Mastoiditis
IV antibiotics:
-Ceftriaxone 240mg IV q 24 hours
or
-Levofloxacin 750mg IV q24 hours
or
-Cefazolin 0.5-1.5g IV TID
MEDEVAC (Medical emergency)
Diffuse inflammation of the external ear canal with or without inflammation of the auricle and/or tympanic membrane
Otitis Externa
Acute otitis externa is almost exclusively from what two organisms?
Pseudomonas aeruginosa
Staphylococcus aureus
Labs/studies:
Otitis externa
Gram staining of discharge
Treatment of:
Otitis externa
Acidification with drying agent (50/50 isopropyl alcohol/white vinegar)
Otic antibiotic or a suspension of aminoglycoside
-Fluoroquinolone or Neomycin/polymyxin B
Treatment of:
Severe otitis externa
Ciprofloxacin 500mg PO BID
Bacterial infection of the mucosal lined air-containing spaces of the temporal bone
Purulent material forms in middle ear and mastoid air cells and petrous apex
Usually precipitated by viral URI that causes blockage of eustachian tube
Otitis media
Most common pathogens for otitis media
Streptococcus pneumoniae
Haemophilus influenzae
Streptococcus pyogenes
Sx: Otalgia, aural pressure, decreased hearing, and often fever and history of an URI
Erythema and hypomobility of tympanic membrane
Severe: TM bulging (rupture is imminent, Mastoid tenderness
Otitis media
Labs/Studies:
Otitis media
Tympanocentesis and fungal culture by an experienced physician