Ear, Nose, Throat Flashcards
What is Tonsillitis and what is the most common cause?
Inflammation of the tonsils, commonly caused by a viral infection
What strains commonly cause Viral Tonsillitis?
*Epstein-Barr virus* Adenovirus Rhinovirus Respiratory Syncytial Virus Influenzae Parainfluenzae
What strains commonly cause Bacterial Tonsillitis?
*Group A Streptococcus (Streptoccocus pyogenes)* Streptococcus pneumoniae Haemophilus influenzae Morazella catarrhalis Staphylococcus aureus
What are the features of Tonsilitis?
Pyrexia Pharyngitis (sore throat) Dysphagia Malaise Lymphadenopathy
Until what age are the tonsils hyperplastic? Why?
Age 6, due to exposure of many micro-organisms
Until what age do tonsils begin to regress?
Age 12
On examination what may you find to help diagnose Tonsillitis?
- Throat exam → Red, inflamed and enlarged tonsils with / without exudates
- Ear exam to assess tympanic membrane
- Lymph node exam to assess lymphadenopathy
What is the Centor Criteria used for?
Used to estimate whether a sore throat is caused by a bacterial infection and will benefit from antibiotics
Outline the points of the Centor Criteria and score is required?
- Fever over 38 degrees
- Tonsillar exudates
- Absence of cough
- Tender anterior cervical lymph nodes
- If score is 3 or more, 40-60% likelihood of bacterial tonsillitis, so offer ABX
What is an alternative to the Centor Criteria?
FeverPAIN score
Talk through the FeverPAIN Score. What are the criteria and what score is required?
- Fever - Fever in the last 24 hours
- P - Purulence (pus on tonsils)
- A - Attendance within 3 days of symptom onset
- I - Inflamed tonsils
- N - No cough or coryzal
- Consider ABX prescription if score is 4 or greater
How do you treat Bacterial and Viral Tonsillitis?
- Viral → Supportive management, simple analgesia
- Bacterial → Penicillin V (Phenoxymethylbenzypenicillin) for 10 days
What is the problem with the drug used to treat Bacterial Tonsilitis?
Not well tolerated due to taste
Amoxicillin is an alternative (Not mandated by NICE)
If patient has a Pencillin allergy, what is the alternative medication to treat Bacterial Tonsillitis?
Clarithomycin
How many Tonsillitis episodes must occur for a Tonsillectomy to be indicated?
- 7 or more significant sore throats in the preceding 12 months
- 5 or more episodes in each of the preceding two years
- 3 or more in each of the preceding three years
Aside from Tonsillitis episode count, what are other indications are there for a Tonsillectomy?
- Recurrent febrile convulsions secondary to episodes of tonsillitis
- Obstructive sleep apnoea, stridor or dysphagia secondary to enlarged tonsils
- Peritonsillar abscess (quinsy) if unresponsive to standard treatment
Why is there a large risk of bleeding associated with Tonsillectomy?
The lymphoid tissue has a very strong vascular supply from five vessels
What are the complications of Tonsillitis?
- Chronic Tonsillitis
- Peritonsillar Abscess (Quincy)
- Otitis media (if infection spreads to inner ear)
- Scarlet fever
- Rheumatic fever
- PSGN
What are the main complications of Tonsillectomy?
- Pain → For upto 6 days post tonsillectomy
- Haemorrhage → Primary and secondary
Primary → Occurs 6-8 hours after surgery → MUST RETURN TO THEATRE
Secondary → Occurs 5-10 days after surgery → ADMISSION AND ANTIBIOTICS
What is Waldeyer’s Tonsillar Ring?
A ring of lymphoid tissue in the larynx
What tissue comprises Waldeyer’s Ring?
- Adenoid
- Tubal x 2
- Palatine x 2
- Lingual
What section of Waldeyer’s Ring is affected by Tonsillitis?
- Palatine tonsils
What is Quincy also known as, outline what it is?
- Peritonsillar abscess, typically a complication of tonsillitis of trapped exudate → abscess
What are the clinical features of Peritonsillar Abscess?
- Pharyngitis, dysphagia, pyrexia, neck pain, referred ear pain, lymphadenopathy
- Trismus → muscle spasms in the muscles of mastication (lockjaw)
- “Hot potato voice” → pharyngeal swelling causing change in voice
- Deviation of the uvula to the unaffected side
- Swelling and erythema in area at the base of tonsils O/E
In Peritonsillar Abscess, in which direction does the uvula deviate?
Towards the unaffected side
What is Quincy commonly caused by?
Bacterial infection i.e. Group A Strep
What is the management of Quincy?
- Urgent referral to ENT specialist
- Antibiotics before & after surgery (broad spectrum i.e. co-amoxiclav)
- Needle aspiration, or incision & drainage under GA
- Steroids i.e. Dexamethasone to reduce inflammation
What is Glue Ear also known as?
Otitis media with effusion
What is the pathophysiology of Glue Ear?
The eustachian tube which connects the middle ear and throat to help drain secretions become blocked. This causes fluid backup in the middle ear
When does Glue Ear occur?
Peaks at 2 years of age
What is the main presenting feature of Glue Ear?
Reduction of hearing in that side of ear (conductive hearing loss)
What may be visualised on Otoscopy in a patient with Glue Ear?
- May look normal
- Dull tympanic membrane with air bubbles, or visible fluid level
How is Glue Ear managed?
- Referral to audiometry
- Conservative management → Resolves within 3 months
- If co-morbidities → Grommet insertion under GA
What is the pathophysiology of Otitis Media?
Caused by a bacterial infection, usually entering through the back of the throat and up the eustachian tube and into the middle ear
What is the most common cause of Otitis Media?
Haemophilus Influenzae
What is the presentation of Otitis Media?
- Ear pain, reduced hearing in affected ear, discharge of tympanum perforated
- Upper airway symptoms → fever, cough, sore throat, feeling unwell
- Vesticular system → Vertigo, balance issues
What may be observed on Otoscopy for Otitis Media?
Bulging, red, inflamed tympanic membrane. May have discharge and a hole in membrane
How is Otitis Media managed?
- If child under 3-6 months + fever → Admit to hospital
- Immediate antibiotics → symptoms > 4 days, If less than 2 y/o with bilateral otitis media, or has otorrhoea, or is systemically unwell, or is immunocompromised
- No antibiotics → Majority resolve without ABX within 3 days. Can take upto a week
- Delayed antibiotics → If symptoms have not resolved by day 3 or have worsened
What is the choice of antibiotic for Otitis Media?
Amoxicillin for 5 days
Aside from Amoxicillin, what are alternatives of antibiotic for Otitis Media?
Erythromycin / Clarithomycin
What are complications of Otitis Media?
- Otitis media with effusion (Glue ear)
- Hearing loss (usually temporary)
- Perforated eardrum
- Recurrent infection
- Mastoiditis (rare)
- Abscess (rare)
What are signs of Mastoiditis?
Otitis media symptoms plus +
- Swelling, erythema and tenderness over the mastoid process
- The external ear may protrude forwards
Why is mastoiditis a medical emergency?
- Intracranial spread → Meningitis
What are causes of Otitis Externa?
- Infection i.e. Bacterial / Fungal
- Seborrhoeic Dermatitis
- Contact Dermatitis
What are features of Otitis Externa?
What may you see on Otoscopy?
- Ear pain, itch, discharge
- On Otoscopy → red, swollen, eczematous canal
What is the first-line management for Otitis Externa?
- Topical antibiotic OR Combined topical antibiotic with steroid
- If tympanic membrane perforated → Do not use aminoglycoside i.e. Gentamicin
- If canal is extensively swollen → Ear wick
What is the second-line management for Otitis Externa?
- Oral antibiotics (flucloxacillin) if the infection is spreading
- Taking a swab inside the ear canal
- Empirical use of an antifungal agent
What are causes of a Perforated Tympanic Membrane?
- Infection (most common)
- Barotrauma, direct trauma
What are complications of a Perforated Tympanic Membrane?
- Hearing loss
- Increased risk of Otitis Media
What is the management of a Perforated Tympanic Membrane?
- No treatment usually → Will heal on its own
- If does not heal → Myringoplasty
- Avoid getting water into the ear
- Prescribe antibiotics if perforation is secondary to ear infection
What is an acoustic neuroma also known as?
Vestibular Schwannoma
What the classical features in the history of Acoustic Neuroma?
Vertigo, Hearing loss, Tinnitus, Absent Corneal Reflex
What specific symptom(s) would a patient present with if CNVIII was involved in an Acoustic Neuroma?
Vertigo, unilateral sensorineural hearing loss, unilateral tinnitus
What specific symptom(s) would a patient present with if CNV was involved in an Acoustic Neuroma?
Absent corneal reflex
What specific symptom(s) would a patient present with if CNVII was involved in an Acoustic Neuroma?
Facial palsy
What is a bilateral acoustic neuroma associated with?
Neurofibromatosis Type 2
What is the management of an Acoustic Neuroma?
Urgent ENT Referral
MRI of cerebellopontine angle
Audiometry
What is Otosclerosis?
Describes the replacement of normal bone by vascular spongy bone in the ear
What is the treatment of Impacted Ear Wax?
- Olive oil, Sodium Bicarbonate 5%, Almond oil
- Ear irrigation / ear syringing
Why is there conductive hearing loss in Otosclerosis?
Because the stapes fixes onto the oval window
What event may precipitate Otosclerosis?
Pregnancy
What is the inheritance pattern of Otosclerosis?
Autosomal dominant
What is the management of Otosclerosis?
Hearing aid
Stapedectomy
What are symptoms of Impacted Earwax?
Pain
Conductive hearing loss
Tinnitus
Vertigo