EENT Precision & Pearls #2 (Ears) Flashcards
Otitis Externa, AKA ______, is MCC by what bacteria? What are some risk factors for this condition?
Symptoms of otitis externa?
Swimmer’s Ear
Pseudomonas Aeruginosa MCC
RF: Water immersion, mechanical trauma (Q tip), Age 7-12
Ear pain, pruritus, hearing loss, pain with traction of tragus, purulent discharge
Treatment for otitis externa
-Protect against moisture (isopropyl alcohol or acetic acid) and remove debris/cerumen
-Topical ABX: Ciprofloxacin-Dexamethasone, Ofloxacin
-Neomycin/Polymyxin B alternative (if no TM rupture)
What should you remember to NOT use if you suspect the TM to be ruptured?
Aminoglycosides (-mycin) as they are ototoxic drugs
Malignant otitis externa is a complication of otitis externa. It is MCC by what bacteria? Risk factors for this condition?
Symptoms of this include
Pseudomonas
Immunocompromised, DM, elderly, HIV, Chemotherapy
Severe preauricular pain, otorrhea, cranial nerve palsies, TMJ pain
Diagnostics for malignant otitis externa
-Otoscopy: edema of EAC, granulation tissue at bony cartilaginous junction of ear on canal floor
CT or MRI to confirm
Treatment for malignant otitis externa
-admission + IV ABX (Ciprofloxacin)
MCC of conductive hearing loss is _______
What is the treatment for this?
Cerumen impaction
Cerumen softening with hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide –> removal with aural toilet or irrigation
What is an auricular hematoma and what are some common causes of this?
Blood collection from external ear trauma (contact sports, wrestling, etc.)
What can an auricular hematoma lead to if not treated and what is the treatment?
Permanent deformity such as a cauliflower ear
Drain and evacuate hematoma (if < 48 hours). Apply pressure dressing
With a foreign body in the ear, what should be removed IMMEDIATELY and what should be done for objects to get them out?
Button batteries can cause necrosis
Mineral oil or lidocaine to kill insects first before removing them. Avoid irrigation if there is a battery in there, as it can cause edema and be harder to get out.
What are risk factors for developing acute otitis media?
What are the common causes (including MC)?
Furthermore, if the patient has AOM with purulent conjunctivitis, what organism should be considered?
Age 6-18 months, not being breastfed, daycare, pacifier use, secondhand smoke in the house
Strep Pneumo (MC), H. Influenzae, Moraxella Catarrhalis, GABHS (Strep Pyogenes)
H. Flu with conjunctivitis
Symptoms of AOM
What if the TM ruptures?
-Otalgia, ear tugging, conductive hearing loss
-Bulging, erythematous TM with effusion
-Decreased TM mobility (most sensitive finding)
TM rupture = rapid relief of pain with bloody otorrhea
What diagnostic is definitive for AOM?
Tympanocentesis with culture
Treatment for AOM
Amoxicillin 80-90 mg/kg/day x 10-14 days
-2nd line: Augmentin or Cefaclor
-PCN Allergy: Azithromycin, Emycin, Bactrim
If AOM is associated with H. Flu, with the purulent conjunctivitis, what should the treatment be?
Augmentin
When should the patient be referred for Tympanostomy tubes for AOM?
If 3 in the last 6 months or 4 in the last 1 year
What is chronic otitis media?
What is the MCC?
Symptoms of this condition?
Recurrent infection of the middle ear with TM perforation > 6 weeks
Pseudomonas MCC
-Persistent purulent otorrhea, painless
-Conductive hearing loss
-Perforated TM on exam
Treatment for chronic otitis media (think Pseudomonas)
-Topical ofloxacin or Ciprofloxacin
-Surgery to remove infected debris and reconstruct the TM
What is serous otitis media with effusion?
What is the treatment?
Middle ear fluid with no signs of infection or inflammation
Observation for most. ENT referral if persistent or language delays, hearing loss, etc.
What is mastoiditis?
It is a complication of what condition?
MCC by what organism?
Infection of mastoid air cells of temporal bone
AOM
Strep Pneumo (same bugs as AOM)