Ear Pathologies Flashcards
Name some conditions that can affect the external ear
Ramsey hunt syndrome
Chondritis
Pinna haematoma
Otitis externa
Perforation of the tympanic membrane
What is Ramsey Hunt syndrome
Singles affecting the facial nerve
Will have vesicles of VZV in the ear
What is a pinna haematoma and how is it caused
Pinna haematoma - accumulation of blood between the cartilage and its overlying perichondrium
Secondary to blunt injury to pinna
Injury causes haematoma to form between cartilage and perichondrium -> depreives cartilage of its blood supply and can have necrosis of cartilage
What happens if a pinna haematoma remains untreated
Pinna haematoma leads to fibrosis and new asymmetrical cartilage development causing cauliflower deformity
What is otitis externa
Infection of the external ear
Ear canal appears swollen and tympanic membrane is not visible
Symptoms of hearing loss, otalgia, possible otorrhoea
Pathogens: pseudomonas, staph, funal infections
What causes tympanic membrane perforation
Results from tympanic membrane bulging
Can occur due to barotrauma, acoustic trauma or otitis media
Name some conditions that can affect the middle ear
Otosclerosis
Otitis media - acute otitis media
Cholesteatoma
Otits media with effusion
What is otosclerosis
Otosclerosis is where the ossicles fuse at articulations due to excessive, abnormal bone growth
A common cause of aquired hearing loss in young adults
Results in sound vibrations not being transmitted effectively to the cochear -> conductive hearing loss
What is cholesteatoma
Cholesteatoma - sac of trapped epithelial cells that proliferate and erode
Retraction of an area of the tympanic membrane (pars flaccida) forms a pocket where epithelial cells can become trapped -> proliferate
Usually secondary to Eustachain tube dysfunction
Is painless, often with smelly otorrhoea +/- hearing loss
Can erode into skull and into the brain though most likely to erode and destroy structures of the middle ear
What is otitis media with effusion
Glue ear - build up of fluid and -ve pressure in the middle ear causing hearing loss
Is due to eustachian tube dysfunction -> can predispose to infection
Have decreased mobility of tympanic membrane and ossicles so have hearing loss
Most resolve spontaneously within 2-3mths but some may persist - require grommets
What is acute otitis media
Acute middle ear infection, more common in infants and children due to shape of eustachian tube
Inflammation of adenoids can increase risk of ear infection
What are some signs and symptoms of acute otitis media
Otalgia - infants may pull at ear
Symptoms of infection - e.g. fever, red
Red tympanic membrane - may be bulging
What are some complications of acute otitis media
Tympanic membrane perforation
Facial nerve involvement
Mastoiditis
Meningitis
Sigmoid sinus thrombosis
Brain abscess
What is mastoiditis and why can otitis media cause it
Mastoiditis - inflammation of the mastoid process
Mastoid becomes red, swollen and is pushed forward
Middle ear cavity communicates with mastoid air cells, providing a route for middle ear infections to spread into mastoid bone and infect mastoid air cells
Name some conditions affecting the inner ear
Benign paroxysmal nocturnal vertigo
Meniere’s disease
Labyrinthitis
