ENT Flashcards
Hearing Loss
what is conductive hearing loss
a problem with sound travelling from the environment to the inner ear.
The sensory system may be working correctly, but the sound is not reaching it
Putting earplugs in your ears causes conductive hearing loss
Hearing Loss
what is Sensorineural hearing loss
a problem with the sensory system or vestibulocochlear nerve in the inner ear.
Hearing Loss
what is classed as sudden onset hearing loss
over less than 72h
Hearing Loss
pts with hearing loss are more likely to develop what?
dementia
Hearing Loss
what is Weber and Rinne’s test used for
to differentiate between sensorineural and conductive hearing loss
Hearing Loss
how to perform Weber’s test
- Place stricken tuning fork it in the centre of the pt’s forehead
- Ask if they can hear and which ear it is loudest in
Hearing Loss
what is normal result for the Weber’s test
patient hears the sound equally in both ears
Hearing Loss
Weber’s test: what type of hearing loss is it if the sound is louder in the normal ear
sensorineural hearing loss
Hearing Loss
Weber’s test: what type of hearing loss is it if the sound is louder in the affected ear
conductive hearing loss
Hearing Loss
Weber’s test: why is the sound louder in the affected ear in conductive hearing loss
the affected ear “turns up the volume” and becomes more sensitive, as sound has not been reaching that side as well due to the conduction problem
When the tuning fork’s vibration is transmitted directly to the cochlea, rather than having to be conducted, the increased sensitivity makes it sound louder in the affected ear.
Hearing Loss
how to perform Rinne’s test
- place stricken tuning fork on mastoid process : bone conduction
- tell me when you can no longer hear the hum
- ‘now’: hover tuning fork 1cm from same ear : air conduction
- can you hear sound now
Hearing Loss
what is a normal Rinne’s test result
when the patient can hear the sound again when bone conduction ceases and the tuning fork is moved next to the ear rather than on the mastoid process
Hearing Loss
what is a Rinne’s positive
normal! when the patient can hear the sound again when bone conduction ceases and the tuning fork is moved next to the ear rather than on the mastoid process
It is normal for air conduction to be better (more sensitive) than bone conduction
Hearing Loss
what is an abnormal Rinne’s test result (Rinne’s negative)
when bone conduction is better than air conduction.
the sound is not heard after removing the tuning fork from the mastoid process and holding it near the ear canal
Hearing Loss
what does a negative Rinne’s test indicate
conductive hearing loss
Sound is transmitted through the bones of the skull directly to the cochlea, meaning bone conduction is intact. However, the sound is less able to travel through the air, ear canal, tympanic membrane and middle ear to the cochlea due to a conductive problem.
Hearing Loss
causes of sensorineural hearing loss
- Sudden sensorineural hearing loss
- Presbycusis (age-related)
- Noise exposure
- Ménière’s disease
- Labyrinthitis
- Acoustic neuroma
- Neuro conditions (stroke, MS or brain tumours)
- Infections (meningitis)
- Medications
Hearing Loss
common medications that cause sensorineural hearing loss
- Loop diuretics (furosemide)
- Aminoglycoside antibiotics (gentamicin)
- Chemotherapy drugs ( cisplatin)
Hearing Loss
causes of conductive hearing loss
- Ear wax (or something else blocking the canal)
- Infection (otitis media or otitis externa)
- Fluid in the middle ear (effusion)
- Eustachian tube dysfunction
- Perforated tympanic membrane
- Otosclerosis
- Cholesteatoma
- Exostoses
- Tumours
Neck Lumps
what are the 3 descriptions to note the location of a neck lump
- anterior triangle
- posterior triangle
- midline
Neck Lumps
what are the borders of the anterior triangle
mandible
midline
sternocleidomastoid
Neck Lumps
what are the borders of the posterior triangle
clavicle
trapezius
sternocleidomastoid
Neck Lumps
Ddx in adults
- Normal structures (e.g., bony prominence)
- Skin abscess
- Lymphadenopathy
- Tumour (e.g SCC or sarcoma)
- Lipoma
- Goitre or thyroid nodules
- Salivary gland stones or infection
- Carotid body tumour
- Haematoma
- Thyroglossal cysts
- Branchial cysts
Neck Lumps
Ddx in young children
- Cystic hygromas
- Dermoid cysts
- Haemangiomas
- Venous malformation
Neck Lumps
whom needs a 2 week wait referral
- unexplained neck lump in someone aged 45 or above
- a persistent unexplained neck lump at any age
Neck Lumps
pt with lump that is growing in size mnx
urgent USS
- within 2w in pts ≥25
- within 48h in pts <25
Neck Lumps
if USS is suggestive of soft tissue sarcoma, then what?
2 week wait referral
Neck Lumps
imaging
1st line: US
CT or MRI scans
Nuclear medicine scans e.g. for toxic thyroid nodules or PET scans for metastatic cancer
Neck Lumps
how to establish exact cause
biopsy may be required for histology
Neck Lumps
causes of enlarged lymph nodes
- reactive (e.g. URTI)
- infected (TB, HIV, mono)
- inflammatory conditions (SLE, sarcoidosis)
- malignancy
Neck Lumps
which enlarged cervical lymph nodes are most concerning for malignancy
supraclavicular nodes
Neck Lumps
features of malignant lymphadenopathy
- Unexplained (e.g not associated with an infection)
- Persistently enlarged (particularly over 3cm in diameter)
- Abnormal shape (normally oval shaped where the length is more than double the width)
- Hard or “rubbery”
- Non-tender
- Tethered or fixed to the skin or underlying tissues
- Associated symptoms, such as night sweats, weight loss, fatigue or fevers
Neck Lumps
what can a goitre be caused by
- Graves disease (hyperthyroidism)
- Toxic multinodular goitre (hyperthyroidism)
- Hashimoto’s thyroiditis (hypothyroidism)
- Iodine deficiency
- Lithium
Neck Lumps
individual lumps can occur in the thyroid due to?
- Benign hyperplastic nodules
- Thyroid cysts
- Thyroid adenomas (benign tumours the can release excessive thyroid hormone)
- Thyroid cancer (papillary or follicular)
- Parathyroid tumour
Neck Lumps
what are the 3 salivary glands
- parotid
- submandibular
- sublingual
Neck Lumps
reasons for salivary gland enlargement
- stones (block drainage)
- infection
- tumours
Neck Lumps
what is the carotid body
a structure located just above the carotid bifurcation (where the common carotid splits into the internal and external carotids).
Neck Lumps
what cells do the carotid body contain
glomus cells: chemoreceptors that detect the blood’s O2, CO2 and pH
Neck Lumps
what are groups of glomus cells called
paraganglia
Neck Lumps
what are carotid body tumours
excessive growth of the glomus cells
Neck Lumps
presentation of carotid body tumours
- slow growing lump
- Painless
- Pulsatile
- bruit on auscultation
- Mobile side-to-side but not up and down
Neck Lumps
location of carotid body tumour
upper anterior triangle of the neck (near the angle of the mandible)
Neck Lumps
how may a carotid body tumour result in Horner syndrome (ptosis, miosis, anhidrosis)
pressure on the vagus nerve
Neck Lumps
what nerves may a carotid body tumour compress
glossopharyngeal (IX)
vagus (X)
accessory (XI)
hypoglossal (XII)
Neck Lumps
characteristic finding on imaging of a carotid body tumour
splaying (separating) of the internal and external carotid arteries (lyre sign).
Neck Lumps
mnx of carotid body tumour
surgical removal
Neck Lumps
examination of lipomas
Soft
Painless
Mobile
Do not cause skin changes
Neck Lumps
where do thyroglossal cysts occur
midline of neck
Neck Lumps
what is a thyroglossal cysts
the thyroglossal duct normally atrophies but may persist in some ppl.
fills with mucus
Neck Lumps
thyroglossal cyst key feature
move up and down with movement of the tongue.
Neck Lumps
what age group are thyroglossal cysts most common in
<20y
Neck Lumps
dx of thyroglossal cysts
US or CT
Neck Lumps
why are thyroglossal cysts surgically removed
to provide confirmation of the dx on histology and prevent infections
Neck Lumps
what is the main complication of a thyroglossal cyst
infection, causing a hot, tender and painful lump
Neck Lumps
what is a branchial cyst
a congenital abnormality that arises when the second branchial cleft fails to form properly during fetal development.
This leaves a space surrounded by epithelial tissue in the lateral aspect of the neck.
This space can fill with fluid. This fluid-filled lump is called a branchial cyst
Neck Lumps
where do branchial cysts occur
between the angle of the jaw and the sternocleidomastoid muscle in the anterior triangle of the neck.
Neck Lumps
features of a branchial cysts
round, soft, cystic swelling
transilluminates
> 10y
Neck Lumps
mnx of branchial cysts
- conservative
- surgically excised
Tonsillitis
what is the most common cause
viral infections
Tonsillitis
what is the most common bacterial cause
- strep pyogenes (group A)
then - Strep pneumoniae
Tonsillitis
what are the 6 areas of lymphoid tissue in Waldeyer’s Tonsillar Ring
adenoids, tubal tonsils, palatine tonsils and the lingual tonsil.
Tonsillitis
which part of Waldeyer’s Tonsillar Ring is typically affected
palatine tonsils: the tonsils on either side at the back of the throat
Tonsillitis
typical presentation
- sore throat
- fever above 38
- pain on swallowing
Tonsillitis
examination findings
- red, inflamed and enlarged tonsils
- with or without exudates (small white patches of pus)
- anterior cervical lymphadenopathy
Tonsillitis
what score on the centor criteria means you should offer abx
3 or more
Tonsillitis
what is the centor criteria
- fever over 38
- tonsillar exudates
- absence of cough
- tender anterior cervical lymph nodes
Tonsillitis
what is the FeverPAIN score
Fever during previous 24h
Purulence
Attended within 3d of onset
Inflamed tonsils (severe)
No cough or coryza
Tonsillitis
what FeverPAIN score should indicate you to offer abx
≥ 4
Tonsillitis
when should you consider admission
- immunocompromised
- systemically unwell
- dehydrated
- has stridor
- respiratory distress
- evidence of a peritonsillar abscess
- cellulitis.
Tonsillitis
when should you advise pts to return
if the pain has not settled after 3 days or the fever rises above 38.3ºC
Tonsillitis
what is a delayed prescription
providing a prescription to be collected only if the symptoms worsen or do not improve in the next 2 – 3 days.
Tonsillitis
if bacterial what is the 1st line abx
Penicillin V aka phenoxymethylpenicillin
for 10d (effective against Strep pyogenes)
allergic? then clarithromycin
Tonsillitis
complications
- Peritonsillar abscess, aka quinsy
- Otitis media, if the infection spreads to the inner ear
- Scarlet fever
- Rheumatic fever
- Post-streptococcal glomerulonephritis
- Post-streptococcal reactive arthritis
Quinsy
aka
peritonsillar abscess
Quinsy
pathophysiology
- bacterial infection w/ trapped pus
- forms abscess in region of tonsils
- usually a complication of untreated or partially treated tonsillitis
Quinsy
additional symptoms that can indicate peritonsillar abscess
- trismus
- hot potato voice
- swelling + erythema in the area beside tonsils
Quinsy
what is trismus
unable to open mouth
Quinsy
most common cause
streptococcus pyogenes (group A strep),
also staphylococcus aureus and haemophilus influenzae.
Quinsy
mnx
incision + drainage of the abscess under GA
usually co-amoxiclav
Cholesteatoma
what is it
an abnormal collection of squamous epithelial cells in the middle ear
non-cancerous but can invade local tissues and nerves and erode the bones of the middle ear
Cholesteatoma
pathophysiology
Eustachian tube dysfunction –> negative pressure in middle ear –> small area of tympanic membrane gets sucked inwards
squamous epithelial cells originate from the outer surface of the tympanic membrane.
The squamous epithelial cells of this pocket continue to proliferate and grow into the surrounding space, bones and tissues
It can damage the ossicles
Cholesteatoma
presenting sx
- Foul discharge from the ear
- Unilateral conductive hearing loss
Cholesteatoma
what further sx may develop as the cholesteatoma continues to expand into the surrounding spaces and tissues
Infection
Pain
Vertigo
Facial nerve palsy
Cholesteatoma
what will it show on otoscopy
an abnormal build-up of whitish debris or crust in the upper tympanic membrane
Cholesteatoma
diagnostic inx
CT head
but MRI may help assess invasion and damage to local soft tissues.
Cholesteatoma
trx
surgical removal of the cholesteatoma.
Acoustic Neuroma
what are they
benign tumours of the Schwann cells surrounding the auditory nerve (vestibulocochlear nerve) that innervates the inner ear.
Acoustic Neuroma
aka
vestibular schwannomas as they originate from the Schwann cells
cerebellopontine angle tumours: because they occur at the cerebellopontine angle
Acoustic Neuroma
where are schwann cells found
the peripheral nervous system and provide the myelin sheath around neurones.
Acoustic Neuroma
bilateral or unilateral
usually unilateral
Bilateral acoustic neuromas are associated with neurofibromatosis type II.
Acoustic Neuroma
presentation
aged 40-60 years presenting with a gradual onset of:
- Unilateral sensorineural hearing loss (often the first symptom)
- Unilateral tinnitus
- dizziness or imbalance
- sensation of fullness in the ear
Acoustic Neuroma
if the tumour grows large enough what can it cause
facial nerve palsy as it compresses the facial nerve
Acoustic Neuroma
what is the pattern of hearing loss
sensorineural pattern
Acoustic Neuroma
diagnostic inx
MRI or CT
MRI is more detailed
Acoustic Neuroma
Mnx
- Conservative
- surgery
- radiotherapy
Acoustic Neuroma
notable risks associated with trx
Vestibulocochlear nerve injury, with permanent hearing loss or dizziness
Facial nerve injury, with facial weakness
Ménière’s Disease
typical triad of sx
- hearing loss
- vertigo
- tinnitus
Ménière’s Disease
pathophysiology
- excessive buildup of endolymph in the labyrinth of the inner ear
- causing a higher pressure than normal and disrupting the sensory signals
Ménière’s Disease
what is the name for increased pressure of endolymph
endolymphatic hydrops
40-50 years old, presenting with unilateral episodes of vertigo, hearing loss, and tinnitus. What is it
Ménière’s Disease
Ménière’s Disease
describe the vertigo
- episodes lasting 20 min - several hours
- clusters over several weeks. followed without vertigo for months
- not triggered by movement or posture
Ménière’s Disease
describe the hearing loss
- fluctuates at first
- then gradually more permanent
- sensorineural hearing loss
- generally unilateral
- affects low frequencies first
Ménière’s Disease
other symptoms apart from the vertigo, hearing loss, tinnitus
- sensation of fullness in the ear
- Unexplained falls (“drop attacks”) without loss of consciousness
- Imbalance, which can persist after episodes of vertigo resolve
Ménière’s Disease
what may be seen in an acute attack
Spontaneous nystagmus
usually in one direction (unidirectional).
Ménière’s Disease
dx
- clinical
Ménière’s Disease
inx
audiology assessment to evaluate hearing loss.
Ménière’s Disease
mnx for acute attacks
- Prochlorperazine
- Antihistamines (e.g., cyclizine, cinnarizine and promethazine)
Ménière’s Disease
prophylactic medication to reduce frequency of attacks
Betahistine
Labyrinthitis
pathophysiology
- viral URTI (rarely could be bacterial like otitis media or menigitis)
- inflammation of the bony labyrinth of the inner ear, inc the semicircular canals, vestibule (middle section) and cochlea
Labyrinthitis
presentation
- viral URTI
- acute onset vertigo
can be associated with - hearing loss
- tinnitus
Labyrinthitis
similarity to vestibular neuronitis
acute onset vertigo
Labyrinthitis
difference to vestibular neuronitis
- hearing loss
- tinnitus
Labyrinthitis
dx
clinical
important to exclude central cause of vertigo
Labyrinthitis
what test can be used to diagnose peripheral causes of vertigo, resulting from problems with the vestibular system (e.g. vestibular neuronitis or labyrinthitis).
head impulse test
Labyrinthitis
mnx
- supportive
up to 3 days of medication to suppress sx:
- Prochlorperazine
- Antihistamines (e.g., cyclizine, cinnarizine and promethazine)
key complication of meningitis
bacterial labyrinthitis
All patients with meningitis are offered audiology assessment as soon as they are recovered to assess for hearing impairment
Vertigo
what is vertigo
a sensation that there is movement between the patient and their environment
Vertigo
what are the sensory inputs that are responsible for maintaining balance and posture
- vision
- proprioception
- signals from the vestibular system
Vertigo
what are the semicircular canals filled with
endolymph
Vertigo
As the head turns, the fluid shifts inside the canals. What detects the fluid shift
tiny hairs called stereocilia
Vertigo
where is the stereocilia found
in a section of the canal called the ampulla
Vertigo
what lets the brain know that the head is moving in a particular direction
- sensory input of shifting fluid detected by the stereocilia
- transmitted to the brain by the vestibular nerve
Vertigo
where does the vestibular nerve carry signals from and to
from the vestibular apparatus
to the vestibular nucleus in the brainstem and the cerebellum
Vertigo
where does the vestibular nucleus send signals to
the oculomotor, trochlear and abducens nuclei that control eye movements
and the thalamus, spinal cord and cerebellum.
Vertigo
what can the causes of vertigo be split up into
- peripheral: affecting the vestibular system
- central: involving the brainstem or the cerebellum
Vertigo
what are the 4 most common causes of peripheral vertigo
- labyrinthitis
- vestibular neuronitis
- Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo
- Ménière’s disease
Vertigo
less common causes of peripheral vertigo
- Trauma to the vestibular nerve
- Vestibular nerve tumours (acoustic neuromas)
- Otosclerosis
- Hyperviscosity syndromes
- Herpes zoster infection (often with facial nerve weakness and vesicles around the ear – Ramsay Hunt syndrome)
Vertigo
how does a central problem cause vertigo
Pathology that affects the cerebellum or the brainstem disrupt the signals from the vestibular system
Vertigo
4 common causes of central vertigo
- Posterior circulation infarction (stroke)
- Tumour
- Multiple sclerosis
- Vestibular migraine
Vertigo
what kind of vertigo will all central causes present as
sustained, non-positional vertigo
Vertigo
difference between peripheral and central vertigo
- onset
- duration
- hearing loss or tinnitus
- coordiantion
- nausea
peripheral:
- sudden onset
- sec - mins
- hearing loss or tinnitus (except BPPV)
- intact coordination
- more severe nausea
central:
- gradual onset (except stroke)
- persistent duration
- usually no hearing loss or tinnitus
- impaired coordination
- mild nausea
Vertigo
what may a recent viral illness point to
labyrinthitis or vestibular neuronitis
Vertigo
what may a headache point to
Vertigo
vestibular migraine, cerebrovascular accident or brain tumour
Vertigo
what may Ear symptoms, such as pain or discharge point to
infection
Vertigo
what may an acute onset of neurological symptoms point to
stroke
Vertigo
four things to examine when assessing a patient presenting with vertigo:
- ear
- neuro
- cardio (CVD causes of dizziness - arrythmias, valve disease)
- special tests: Romberg, Dix-Hallpike manoeuvre, HINTS)
Vertigo
components of a cerebellar examination
DANISH
Dysdiadochokinesia
Ataxic gait ( walk heel-to-toe)
Nystagmus
Intention tremor
Speech (slurred)
Heel-shin test
Vertigo
what does the Romberg’s test do
screens for problems with proprioception or vestibular function
Vertigo
what does the HINTS exam for
to distinguish between central and peripheral vertigo
Vertigo
what does HINTS stand for
HI – Head Impulse
N – Nystagmus
TS – Test of Skew
Vertigo
describe the head impulse test
- sit upright
- fix gaze on examiner’s nose
- examiner rapidly jerks pt’s head 20 degrees while pt still looks at nose
- repeat in opposite direction
Vertigo
normal head impulse test
pt will keep their eyes fixed on the examiner’s nose
Vertigo
head impulse test result with a patient with an abnormally functioning vestibular system (e.g., vestibular neuronitis or labyrinthitis),
eyes will saccade (rapidly move back and forth) as they eventually fix back on the examiner.
Vertigo
head impulse test result with a patient with a central cause of vertigo
normal
Vertigo
what does Unilateral horizontal nystagmus demonstrate
more likely to be a peripheral cause
Vertigo
what does Bilateral or vertical nystagmus suggest
a central cause
Vertigo
what is test of skew (aka alternate cover test)
- pt sits upright
- fix gaze on examiner’s nose
- examiner covers one eye at a time
- eyes should remain fixed on the examiner’s nose with no deviation
Vertigo
what indicates a central cause in the test of skew
if there is a vertical correction when an eye is uncovered (the eye has drifted up or down and needs to move vertically to fix on the nose when uncovered)
Vestibular Neuronitis
what is it
inflammation of the vestibular nerve.
This is usually attributed to a viral infection.
it distorts the signals travelling from the vestibular system to the brain, confusing the signal required to sense movements of the head
Vestibular Neuronitis
What does the inner ear comprise of
- Semicircular canals
- Vestibule (middle section)
- Cochlea
Vestibular Neuronitis
which part of the ear is responsible for detecting movement of the head
semicircular canals
and otolith organs within the vestibule (the utricle and saccule)
Vestibular Neuronitis
which structure detects rotation of the head
the semi-circular canals
Vestibular Neuronitis
which structure detects gravity and linear acceleration
the otolith organs within the vestibule (the utricle and saccule)
Vestibular Neuronitis
which structure is responsible for hearing
cochlea
Vestibular Neuronitis
which nerve transmits signals from the vestibular system (the semicircular canals and vestibule) to the brain to help with balance
vestibular nerve
Vestibular Neuronitis
which nerve transmits signals from the cochlea to provide hearing.
The cochlear nerve
Vestibular Neuronitis
presentation
- acute onset of vertigo
- recent viral URTI
- vertigo constant then worsened by head movement
- N+V
- balance problems
Vestibular Neuronitis
why is tinnitus and hearing loss not a feature
the cochlea and cochlear nerve are not affected
Vestibular Neuronitis
different between labyrinthitis and neuronitis
Labyrinthitis – Loss of hearing
Neuronitis – No loss of hearing
Vestibular Neuronitis
which test can diagnose peripheral cause of vertigo (Vestibular neuronitis or labyrinthitis)
head impulse test (peripheral cause if their eyes saccade)
Vestibular Neuronitis
mnx
- Prochlorperazine
- Antihistamines (e.g., cyclizine, cinnarizine and promethazine)
for up to 3 days
Vestibular Neuronitis
when do NICE recommend referral
if sx do not improve after 1w or resolve after 6w
as they may require further invx or vestibular rehabilitation therapy (VRT).
Vestibular Neuronitis
prognosis
Sx most severe for the first few days
after which they gradually resolve over the following 2-6 weeks.
Vestibular Neuronitis
what may develop after
BPPV