ENT Flashcards
What is the most common malignant lesion of the auricle
Basal Cell Carcinoma
A pt presents with a non healing lump of the outer ear
What is the Highest DDX
Basal Cell Carcinoma
What is the Tx approach to Basal Cell Carcinoma
Treatment
Refer to Dermatology or ENT!!
Non-surgical
- Topical 5-fluorouracil
- Radiation therapy
Surgical
- Local excision
- Mohs surgery- 97-99% cure rate
A pt presents with a non healing ulcer or plaque on the ear think..
Squamous cell carcinoma
What is the Tx for Squamous Cell Carcinoma
Treatment
Refer to ENT or Derm
Non-surgical
-Radiation therapy
Surgical
-Local excision
- Mohs Surgery
- Neck dissection and parotidectomy (advanced cases)
What is the follow up for squamous cell
Requires through examination of cervical lymph nodes
Regular follow-up is required
Sooner if any recurrence of the lesion
A pt presents with a pigmented lesion On the ear
Think..
Malignant melanoma
Assoc. with high mortality
What does ABCDE stand for
Asymmetry Border Color Diameter Evolving
Determine if its a mole or melanoma
What is the Tx for malignant melanoma
Treatment
-Early detection and excision
+/- lymph node dissection
Prognosis
- Thin (epidermis) <10% risk of mets
- Thick (dermis) >90% risk of mets
What is an auricular hematoma
Soft mass in the ear
(boxers ear, wrestler)
Occurs after trauma from sheering forces
- blood vessels are torn
- forms hematoma
A pt presents with a edematous, fluctuante, ecchymotic mass with loss of normal landmarks of the ear after trauma to the ear
Think
Auricular hematoma
What is the tx for auricular hematoma
Treatment -Incise and drain (I&D) Hematoma -Pressure dressing -Prophylactic ABX —Cover for staph —Dicloxacillin or Cephalexin
If Pseudomonas concern
(water, diabetes)
—Ciprofloxacin
STAT Referral to ENT if >7 days old
What ABX covers pseudomonas
Ciprofloxacin
High concern with water exposure and DM
What are the complications from an auricular hematoma
Ear canal blockage Necrosis Infection Cauliflower ear —If not treated in 48-72 hours
What defines a simple vs extensive ear lacerations
Simple- skin only
Extensive- Involves cartilage
What are three signs of a basilar skull fx
-Retroauricular hematoma (Battle sign)
-Ecchymosis around eyes
(Raccoon eyes)
-CSF in ears or nosE
What are 4 signs of middle ear trauma
- Hemotympanum
- Amber/clear middle ear effusion
- Otorrhea
- Hearing deficit (HL) with Weber/Rinne
What is the imaging choice for a EAr lac
CT scan non con (if severe underlying)
What is the Tx for an ear lac
Prefer primary closure
-Limits time cartilage is exposed
Secondary closure
If >24 hours old
-Inflammation/infection
Cover repairs with pressure dressing
—Prevent hematoma
Cartilage-penetrating antibiotics
—Ciprofloxacin
What is the best cartilage penetrating ABX
Ciprofloxacin
When should we refer an EAR lac
Avulsion- ENT, plastics, or maxillofacial surgeon
EAC extension- ENT
Middle ear/inner ear injury-ENT
—Vestibular symptoms
—Hearing Loss
Basilar skull fracture- neurosurgeon
If you’re not comfortable
What is the MC cause of ear cellulitis
Ear piercing and Trauma
What is the bug that causes cellulitis of the ear
Psuedomonas
What is the most common cause of cerumen impaction
MC from cleaning inside the EAC
What is the most common cause of foreign bodies in the ear
MC- Children placing something in EAC
Insects
Hearing aid batteries
When should you refer a foreign body ear obstruction
If anesthesia needed
Uncooperative child
Difficult removal
What are the common organisms in external otitis
Organisms
- Gram negative rods- Pseudomonas, -Proteus
- Fungus- Aspergillus
What are the ABX for external otitis
Refractory cases or cellulitis present
-Oral fluoroquinolones- ciprofloxacin 500 mg twice a day for 1 week
What is malignant otitis externa
Persistent, foul aural discharge
Deep otalgia
Temporal headaches
Late sign- CN palsies
A pt presents with foul aural discharage and granulations in the EAC
Late signs of CN palsy’s
Think
Necrotizing Otitis Externa
What is the Gold standard for Imaging of Nec Otitis Externa
CT
What is the Tx for Malignant Extrenal Otitis
Systemic ABX
Ciprofloxacin
Until Gallium scanning shows resolution
What is the most common cause of Pruritus
MC- Excoriation from overzealous cleaning
Psoriasis
Seborrheic dermatitis
Otitis externa
What is the tx for pruritus of the ear
Treatment
-Allow cerumen to regenerate
Avoid: Soap and water Cotton tipped applicator (CTA) Scratching Excessively dry skin- Mineral oil Inflammation- Topical steroid (0.1% triamcinolone)
What is an Exostoses
Bony overgrowths of the EAC
Symptoms:
- Often asymptomatic
- Occasional aural fullness or HL
What is surfers ear
Repeated exposure to cold water that leads to bone formation in the ear
Do we irrigate organic material out of the ear
NO!
Organic material can swell!
Describe patillas Eustachian tube defect
Stuck open Eustachian tube
- Aural fullness
- Increased autophony
- Worse when exercising, better with a URI
2/2 Rapid wt loss, NMD, or idiopathic
What is the tx to patilludo eustachiain tube defect
Avoid decongestants
Insert ventilation tube
Surgery- Rarely
Describe Eustachian tube dysfunction
S/s
- Aural fullness
- Fluctuating hearing
- Discomfort with barometric pressure change
- Popping or cracking when yawning/swallowing
2/2 Viral URI or Allergy, Irritants, or pregnancy.
You see retracted TM and Decreased TM mobility
Think
Dilatory Dysfunction of the TM
What is the tx approach to dilatory dysfunction of the Eustachian tube
After viral illness-
Pseudoephedrine 60 mg po q 4-6 hrs and/or
Oxymetazoline 0.05% spray q 8-12 hrs (<3-5 days)
Autoinflation- if no active infection
What intranasal steroids are used in Eustachian tube dysfunction
Fluticasone 2 sprays per nostril q day
Beclamethasone dipronionate 2 sprays per nostril bid
What are the common causes of serous otitis media
More common in children
Chronic Eustachian tube dysfunction
URI, Allergies, barotrauma
Negative pressure -> fluid transudation
If persistent and unilateral- R/O nasopharyngeal carcinoma
If a pt has persistent and unilateral serous otitis media
What should you R/o
Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma
What are the 4 reasons that children are at an increase Risk of Serous otitis media
1- Shorter ET 2- Horizontal ET 3- Immature floppy elastic cartilage 4- Larger adenoids *Tube usually reaches adult length by age 6
Where does the Weber lateral to on a conductive hearing loss
To the effected ear
What is the Rhine test do in conductive hearing loss
Bone greater than AC
What is the Tx approach to serous otitis media
Decongestants- oral and intranasal
Intranasal corticosteroids
With autoinflation (Valsalva)- if no URI
Surgical interventions- laser or balloon dilation
Describe Acute Otitis media
Ear Pain URI Decreased hearing Aural pressure Fussy
What are the most common causes of acute otitis media
HISSM
H. influ
Strep Pneumo
Strep Pyogenes
Moraxella (Kids)
What is the progression of acute otitis media
Viral URI- ETD- Fluid mucus build up - bacterial infection
What are the Tm Findings in Acute otitis media
White/Yellow
Dilated blood vessels
Hypomobile
Occasionally bullae
What is the tx for acute otitis media
Analgesics!
76% of children improved on symptomatic treatment alone
Children >2 y/o, mild symptoms
-SNAP protocol
Adults or children < 2 y/o, or children >2 y/o with severe symptoms
—Targeted antibiotics
What is SNAP treatment for acute otitis media
SNAP- Safety Net Approach to antibiotic Prescriptions
- Clinical suspicion of AOM
- Give prescription for ABX
Parent doesn’t fill Rx unless child’s condition worsens or does not improve in 48 hours
Proven to lessen # of filled Rx
What are the 1st line ABX in Acute otitis media
First line-
Kids- Amoxicillin 80-90 mg/kg/day (divided into 2 doses)
Adults- 1g q 8hrs
5-7 day course!!!
PCN allergic
—Azithromycin
What are the second line ABXs for acute otitis media
Second line- for resistant strains
—Amoxicillin/clavulanate (Augmentin)
—Cefuroxime
—Cefpodoxime
What is an amoxicillin rash
3 - 10% of children taking amoxicillin develop an itchy maculopapular rash >72 hours after beginning medication
Occasionally in adults too
Starts on the trunk and can spread from there
This rash is not a contraindication for future amoxicillin usage, nor should current regimen necessarily be stopped
But is it Infectious Mononucleosis?
80-90% of patients with acute EBV infection treated with amoxicillin develop such a rash
—Consider Monospot testing
Define recurrent otitis media
Recurrent AOM
-3-4 bouts in 6 months or 5-6 bouts/year
Daily sulfamethoxazole or amoxicillin for 1-3 months
If ABX fail->ear tubes
What are the 4 prevention methods to acute otitis media
Breastfeeding
Pneumococcal conjugate vaccine
Avoid tobacco smoke
Avoid daycare
What are the complications of acute otitis media
Facial paralysis
Sigmoid sinus thrombosis
Central nervous system infection
A pt presents with Aural Dc from the ear
Perferated TM and conductive hearing loss
Think?
Tx?
Chroninc otitis media
Tx:
Remove infected debris
Water precautions
Chronic drainage
-Oral ciprofloxacin 500 mg daily
for 1-6 weeks!!
Exacerbations
Topical floroquinolone
IF it doesnt heal on its own
Then SRGRY
With mastoidecotmy + CT
If you see a chronically draining ear
Think
Cholesteatoma
S/s chronic ear draining, intact TM, hearing loss
What is the most common cause of Cholestatoma
MC cause- Chronic ETD
Negative pressure-> Retraction pocket-> Keratin debris buildup
What is the Tx approach to cholestaeatoma
Surgery!
—Marsupialization
Complete removal of the keratin sac
ETD is still present so can recur
Need to be monitored for life
What are the complication of an unrepared cholesteatoma
Complications if not repaired
Bone erosion->destruction of mastoid-> destruction of ossicular chain (hearing loss)
If still not repaired:
—Erode into inner ear- dizziness
-Involve facial nerve (CN VII)- facial nerve palsy
—Erode intracranially (rare)- meningitis, brain abscess
A pt presents with Fever and post auricular eat pain
With a protruding audible
Think
mastoiditis
Which of the HISSMs do not effect mastoiditis
M. Catarallis
What is the Tx and W/u for mastoiditis
CRT scan!
Tx:
IV ABX (admit) -Cefazolin 0.5-1.5g every 6-8 hours
ABX failure, more severe cases
Surgery
—Mastoidectomy
What is mastoiditis long term treatment requirement
Long term ear cleanings
A pt presents with deep otalgia with fouls D/c
Retro orbital pain and 6th nerve palsy
Think
Petrous apicitis
What is the treatment for petrous apicitis
Long term abxs
+/- surgical drainage of petrous apex
What is the complication of petrous apicitis
Meningitis
What is the cause of facial nerve paralysis and what is the Tx
Cause- Bacterial neurotoxins
Treatment
- Myringotomy for drainage and culture
- ABX based on culture
What is the chronic cause of facial nerve paralysis
Cause- cholesteatoma
Treatment-
Surgical correction of cholesteatoma
What is sigmoid sinus thrombosis
Cause from septic emboli in the sigmoid sinus
A pt present with spiking fevers, chills, ICP, HA, N/V, Lethargy, and papiledema
What thrombotic event may have occurred
Sigmoid sinus thrombosis
What is the most common cause of otogenic meningitis
MC intracranial ear infection complication
Acute- S. pneumo and H. flu
What is otosclerosis
Familial disease->Hearing loss
Ossicles harden progressively
When should we refer to ENT for hearing loss post trauma
If CHL >30 db lasts over 3 months, refer to ENT
A pt presents with pulsatile tinnitus and Hearing loss
Think what neoplasm of the ear
Glomus tumors
S/s:
+/- Vascular mass behind TM
CN VII, IX, X, XI, XII neuropathies
Any time someone presents with pulsatile tinnitus
What must you order
Magnetic resonance angiography (MRA)
Magnetic resonance venography (MRV)
When should you abort the dive if you can’t equilize your ears
If not equalized with in 15 feet
What is a perilymphatic fistula
From overpressurization
Oval or round window ruptures
Immediate Emesis and vertigo
Very dangerous!
Describe decompression sickness
Air bubbles develop in vasculature of ear on ascent
Hearing loss
Vertigo
Need immediate recompression
Which is more severe
Peripheral or central vertigo
Peripheral
How does caloric stimulation work
Vestibulo-ocular reflex, sensitive for vestibular disorders
Place cold water in ear, then warm water
Normal response- COWS- Cold Opposite Warm Same
Fast beat of nystagmus goes away from cold
Fast beat of nystagmus goes toward warm
Describe Menieres syndomre
S/s Vertigo: 20-min to hours
Low tone tinnitus + blowing sound
Unilateral aural pressure
2/2 syphillis of truama or idiopathic
What is the treatment to Menieres
Low-salt diet
Diuretics
Acetazolamide (not a true diuretic, but a side effect)
Symptomatic relief of acute attacks
—Diazepam
—meclizine
Surgical options: Ablation with gentamycin Sac decompression Nerve section Echtomy
A pt presents with hearing loss, vertigo of sudden onset
That gradually improves over weeks
+ tinnitus
Think
labrynthitis
What kind of nystagmus is present in labrynthitis
Spontaneous horizontal nystagmus
Improved with visual fixation
What is the tx for labrynthitis
Known bacterial infection
—Antibiotics
Vestibular suppressants
- Meclizine
- Diazepam
Short-term use only!!
—First 2-3 days
A pt presents with peripheral head movement vertigo from rolling over in bed
Lasts less than 60 seconds
Think
BPPV
What is the cause of BPPV
Suspected Otoconia in the semi-circular canals
Usually no inciting events
Can follow trauma or vestibular neuronitis
What is the most common cause of vertigo
BPPV
Describe vestibular neuronitis
Very similar to labrynthitis
However NO HEARING LOSS!
What cranial nerve inflamation leads to vestibular neuronitis
CN VIII from a possible viral infection
A pt prestns with absent caloric signs in one or both ears
Think
Vestibular neuronitis
What is the Treatmetn for vestibular neuronitis
Supportive care
+/- Valium or diazepam
With vestibular rehab for persistnence
When would hearing loss present in a traumatic vertigo
If there is a basilar skull fx
What is the chronic manifestation of traumatic vertigo
Cupolithiasis (positional vertigo )
What is the tx approach to traumatic vertigo
Supportive care
Vestibular suppressants
-Acute phase ONLY!
Vestibular rehabilitation
What is the treatment for a perilymphatic fistula
Refer for tissue grafting
What are the common causes of cervical vertigo
Trauma
Hyperextension
Degenerative Disc Disease
What is the most common complaint in vestibular schwannoma
Hearing loss
Any one with one sided hearing loss should get what ordered
MRI!
An older pt with neck extension induced vertigo
Think
Vascular compromised vertigo
What do we order for a pt with vasc compromise vertigo
MRA
What is the tx for vasc compromise vertigo
Asprin and vasodilation
How does MS present with vertigo
Episodic Vertigo
Chronic imbalance
Hearing loss (rare)
- Unilateral
- Rapid
Spontaneous recovery
How does MS look on MRI
Demylenation of white matter
Refer to neuro
What is sensory hearing loss
Deteriórate of the cochlea
What are the 4 main causes of conductive hearing loss
Obstruction- Cerumen impaction
Mass Loading- Middle ear effusion
Stiffness- Otosclerosis
Discontinuity- Ossicular disruption
What is the most common cause of sensorineural hearing loss
Presbyacusis
What are the rinne and Weber for conductive hearing loss
Weber test-
Sound louder in bad ear
Rinne test-
Bone conduction > Air conduction
What is the Weber and Rinne test in sensorineural hearing loss
Weber test- Sound lateralizes to good ear
Rinne test- AC>BC
What is the treatmetn for sudden (less than 72 hours) sensorineural hearing loss
Decompaction
Or steroids consult with ENT
Pulsatile tinnitus gets what
MRA and MRV
+ temporal bone CT
What is the only medication that has shown effect for tinnitus
Nortryptiline
What is the treatment for hiperacusis
If cochlear dysfunction then hearing ain’t with compression circuits
What are the levels of an Audiogram
0 dB= quiet tone that a young adult can hear 50%of the time
Normal: 0-20 dB
Abnormal: >25 dB
Evaluates both AC and BC