Ears

Question 1

What is Acute Otitis Externa (AOE)?

Answer 1

• infection of the outer ear canal
• AKA swimmer’s ear

Question 2

What causes Acute Otitis Externa (AOE)?

Answer 2

Excessive moisture or abrasion in the ear canal leading to bacterial or fungal infections

Question 3

Manifestations of Acute Otitis Externa (AOE)?

Answer 3

Tragal tenderness (pain when the tragus is touched)
- flap over ear

Swelling of the external canal

Ear discharge with odor

Question 4

AOE Management

Topical treatment for AOE (Acute Otitis Externa)?

Answer 4

2% solution of acetic acid

Fluoroquinolones

Question 5

What is Acute Otitis Media (AOM)?

Answer 5

Inflammation and fluid in the middle ear
- Can open up a hole @ tympanic membrane

Question 6

What causes Acute Otitis Media?

Answer 6

Bacterial or viral infections

Question 7

Manifestations of Acute Otitis Media?

Answer 7

Otalgia (ear pain)

Middle-ear effusion (bulging of the eardrum due to fluid buildup)

Middle-ear inflammation (redness of the eardrum)

Question 8

What surgeries are used in Acute Otitis Media management?

Answer 8

Tympanoplasty: reconstruction of the tympanic membrane (eardrum)

Ossiculoplasty: reconstruction of the bones of the middle ear (ossicles). Prostheses used to reconnect the ossicles

Mastoidectomy: removal of diseased bone, mastoid air cells, and cholesteatoma to eliminate infection

Stapedectomy: reconnecting to the cochlea.

Question 9

What is Otosclerosis?

Answer 9

Abnormal bone growth in the middle ear, particularly the ossicles (tiny bones) and limiting their movement.

• This leads to hearing loss.

Question 10

Surgery for otosclerosis?

Answer 10

Stapedectomy: part of the stapes bone is removed/replaced with a prosthesis to improve hearing by reconnecting to the cochlea.

Question 11

What is Meniere’s Disease? What causes it?

Answer 11

Imbalance of fluid in the inner ear

• Due to poor absorption of fluid in the endolymphatic sac or a blockage in the endolymphatic duct

Question 12

Manifestations of Meniere’s Disease?

Answer 12

Tinnitus (ringing in the ears)

Vertigo (spinning sensation)

• Episodic (episodes accompanied by nausea and vomiting)

Head pressure

Fluctuating progressive hearing loss

Question 13

Management for Meniere’s Disease?

Answer 13

• Dietary changes (low sodium, 2000mg/day)
• Medications (diuretics)
• Surgery: endolymphatic sac decompression or vestibular nerve section