EENT Flashcards
Benign abnormalities of Outer Ear?
Accessory Auricle, aka Skin tag
Microtia/Anotia: abnormal development of auricle creating EAC Stenosis.
Preauricular Pit: cystic tract unclosed from embryologic development.
Concerns of a Preauricular Pit?
May develop infection, may become recurrent or abnormally enlarged.
What is an Accessory Auricle and what is the treatment?
Aka Skin Tag, a benign skin abnormality.
Tx: simple excision of extra skin.
Treatment for Microtia/Anotia?
Cosmetic Surgery
Treatment of a Pre-auricular Pit?
Incision and drainage if infected; possibly an excision.
An ENT emergency; also known as cauliflower ear, an accumulation of fluid (usually blood) within sub-perichondrial space of Pinna?
Auricular Hematoma
Treatment of an Auricular Hematoma?
Incision and Drainage ASAP w/compression bandage to prevent recurrence.
What causes an Auricular Hematoma and what can develop if there is no treatment?
Blunt force trauma but arises from decreased blood flow to perichondrial space.
If not drained within 5-7 days of onset, cauliflower ear will develop.
A hydrophobic substance produced within the ear canal creating an acidic environment to protect against infection, trauma, water damage and foreign body?
Cerumen or ear wax.
What produces ear wax?
Sebaceous and ceruminous glands of the lateral 1/3 of the EAC.
Impaction defined as symptomatic accumulation of cerumen (conductive hearing loss) and how is it treated?
Cerumen Impaction treated with an ear lovage or Debrox drops.
Symptoms of a Cerumen Impaction?
Hearing loss, otalgia, drainage, dizziness, tinnitus.
Treatment of a foreign body…”pro-tip”?
Alligator forceps or curette
More common in kids.
Pro-tip: if the FB is a bug, make sure it is dead; use lidocaine.
Infection/irritation of the skin of the EAC?
Acute Otitis Externa (AOE)
Aka “Swimmer’s Ear”
Etiology of AOE?
Acute bacterial infection
- pseudomonas 38%, staph aureus 8%, strep pneumo 6%.
- can be associated with some derm conditions like eczema or psoriasis.
Risk factors for AOE?
Swimming, trauma, DM and other immunodeficient conditions.
Clinical presentation of AOE
Tender pinna/tragus. Otorrhea Hearing loss Erythema, pt’s will say it itches. EAC edema/swelling Debris in EAC
How would you treat a mild case of swimmer’s ear?
Alcohol/vinegar ear drops.
Treat with Antifungals or Clotrimazole ear drops if a fungal infection.
AKA Herpes Zoster Oticus; presents like zoster - a painful rash, but also with acute facial palsy (CN VII).
Ramsey Hunt.
What other CN can be involved with Ramsey Hunt and what can palsy of these CNS lead to?
CN VIII, IX, X, XI
Can lead to vertigo, hearing loss, tinnitus, ataxia.
Treatment for Ramsey Hunt?
Acyclovir, Steroids, Topical Anesthetic
Steroids typically not used in herpes but because of severe inflammation, Rx it.
How can you orient yourself when looking at the pt’s TM?
TM: Tympanic Membrane or ear drum.
The cone of light will point towards the pt’s nose.
Acute illness marked by presence of fluid and inflammation of the mucosa that lines the middle ear space?
Acute Otitis Media (AOM)
MCC of AOM?
MCC caused by obstruction of the Eustachian Tube causing fluid retention and suppuration of retained secretions.
Clinical presentation and PE of child with AOM?
Tugging ears Fussy Fever Hearing loss (which resolves with resolution of effusion). Capillary injection and erythema of TM Bulging TM Possible purulent fluid Immobility on bulb insufflation.
Treatment for AOM?
MC oral Abx x10 days.
Tylenol PRN for fever.
For adults, consider adding Decongestant (to drain ET) and/or steroid.
First line Abx for AOM?
Amoxicillin is 1st line Tx for anything involving the neck up.
*includes amoxicillin/Clavulanate (Augmentin).
- Macrolides 2nd line if allergy to Amoxicillin.
- Cephalosporins are 3rd line