Ears, Nose & Throat Flashcards
Acute inflammatory process affecting the mucus membrane that lines the upper respiratory tract
common cold/upper respiratory tract infection (URI/URTI)
Caused by almost 200 different viruses that are part of normal body flora
common cold/URI/URTI
Group of viruses responsible for 1/2 of the 200 viruses that cause the common cold
rhinoviruses
Controversial treatment for colds
oral antihistamines
When do ordinary colds and bacterial colds usually resolve?
ordinary cold: 4-5 daysbacterial: 7-10 days
SInusitis is the acute or chronic inflammation of the mucous membranes of the ______
paranasal sinuses
Sinusitis is caused by ___, ___ and ___ that travel to the sinuses from the nose; often occurs after the patient has been infected by the common cold
virus, fungus, bacteria
What is another cause of sinusitis?
Any condition that blocks sinus drainage and ventilation
Treatment: saline nasal sprays and corticosteroid nasal sprays
sinusitis
What are the 2 types of sinusitis?
- acute: 3 to 4 week resolution2. chronic: surgical treatment
Type of sinusitis requiring surgery
chronic sinusitis
Which paranasal sinuses are affected most in sinusitis?
maxillary paranasal sinuses
Acute or chronic inflammation or infection of the pharynx
pharyngitis
What is the informal term for pharyngitis
sore throat
What are 3 types of pharyngitis?
- acute2. chronic3. gonococcal
Type of pharyngitis that may be secondary to systemic viral infections such as chickenpox and measles
acute
Type of pharyngitis that occurs when an infection spreads to the pharynx and remains, such as syphilis and tuberculosis
chronic
Type of pharyngitis resulting from oral-genital sexual activity
gonococcal
How is streptococcal pharyngitis treated?
7-10 day course of antibiotics
What are the two conditions that must be ruled out before diagnosing pharyngitis?
- epiglottitis2. Ludwig’s angina: cellulitis of the floor of the mouth
Head and neck cancer that arises in the area of the pharynx unique in that it is not linked to tobacco use
nasopharyngeal carcinoma
Nasopharyngeal carcinoma arise in the area of the pharynx that opens into the ____ anteriorly and the ___ inferiorly
nasal cavity, oropharynx
Cancer often linked to dietary intake or Epstein-Barr Virus infection
nasopharyngeal carcinoma
What are three main symptoms of nasopharyngeal carcinoma?
- neck mass2. epistaxis3. serous otitis media
5 risk factors for nasopharyngeal carcinoma:
- salted fish in regular diet2. high levels of nitrates3. chinese herbs4. infection with EBV5. first degree relative with nasopharyngeal carcinoma
How are early stage and advanced stage nasopharyngeal carcinoma treated?
early stage: radiation therapyadvanced stage: chemoradiotherapy
Inflammation of the larynx including the vocal cords; main symptoms is hoarseness
laryngitis
List 5 causes of laryngitis.
- infection: bacterial or viral2 URI3. reflux laryngitis: repeated attacks of acid reflux4. excessive use of voice5. benign or malignant lesion of the larynx
Treatment: voice rest, bed rest, fluid intake, lozenges and cough syrup
laryngitis
Chronic laryngitis is treated based on elimination of _____
the causative factor
Crooked nasal septum
deviated septum (DNS)
What are the two causes of DNS?
- congenital anomaly2. trauma
Treatment is unnecessary unless air passage is compromised; if so, treated surgically
DNS
Benign growth that form as a consequence of swollen mucous membranes protruding into the nasal cavity
nasal polyps
If polyps grow large enough, they can cause ____ and ____
breathing problems and anosmia (loss of smell)
Nasal polyps are caused by the _____ in the cells of the mucous membrane: also allergic rhinitis
overproduction of fluid
How are nasal polyps treated?
- surgical removal2. injection of a steroid directly into the polyps
Impairment or loss of the sense of smell
anosmia
The _____ form of anosmia can be caused by nasal polyps and allergic rhinitis
chronic form
List 3 other causes of anosmia.
- phobia 2. damage of the olfactory nerves3. intranasal swelling
Phobia of a certain smell
psychological anosmia
Can cause temporary anosmia
URTI
T or F. Damaged nerves can’t be repaired in regards to anosmia
T
Hemorrhage from the nose
epistaxis
What is the informal term for epistaxis
nosebleed
List 3 causes of epistaxis.
- cold/infections that cause crusting which damages the mucous membrane and ruptures vessels2. direct trauma to the nose3. systemic disorders
What are 2 common topical cauterization agents used to treat moderate epistaxis?
- silver nitrate (AgNO3)2. cocaine
What are 5 risk factors for epistaxis?
- vitamin k deficiency2. hypertension3. aspirin ingestion4. high altitude5. anticoagulant therapy
Treated with local application of epinephrine followed by cauterization, nasal packing, surgical ligation of a bleeding artery if severe
epistaxis
____ lasting longer than 2 weeks is usually the inly symptom of a tumor of the larynx
dysphonia or difficulty speaking