ENT Flashcards
What is malignant otitis externa and who is at increased risk?
Spread of infection to become osteomyeltitis of the temporal bone. ^ risk in elderly, diabetics.
Needs urgent referral to ENT if suspect (ie if several episodes of otitis externa resistant to topical treatment) for CT Temporal bone and IV abx
What is the typical presentation of otitis externa?
Otalgia, itchy ear canal, discharge.
O/E: red swollen ear canal
What is the 1st line treatment for otitis externa?
TOPICAL abx or TOPICAL abx + steroids.
Avoid aminoglycosides if TM perforation as risk of ototoxicity
What are the absolute indications for tonsillectomy (SIGN criteria)
Recurrent infections (7 episodes/year, 5 episodes/year for 2 years, 3 episodes/year for 3 years, 2 works or more missed school/work per year)
Peritonsillar abscess (in child tonsillectomy 4-6 wks after the 1st episode, in adults after the 2nd episode of peritonsillar abscess)
Tonsillitis causing febrile seizures
Hypertrophy of tonsils causing airway obstruction (inc obstructive sleep apnoea), difficulty in swallowing, difficulty with speech
Suspicion of malignancy if unilaterally enlarged tonsil (lymphoma in children, epidermoid carcinoma in adults)
What is the classical presentation of a pharyngeal pouch
Pharyngeal pouch = Zenker’s diverticulum = almost like a hernia of pharyngx through Kilian’s dehiscence (weak patch of posterior pharyngeal wall)
Risk factors = older age, MALES
Presentation = dysphagia, regurgitation, hallitosis, neck swelling that gurgles when palpated, aspiration
When should you refer a mouth ulcer to oral surgery?
Any mouth ulcer that has lasted > 3 weeks should be urgently referred to an oral surgeon for assessment within 2 weeks.
What is Webers and Rinnes and how to interpret them?
To distinguish and localise sensorineural v conductive hearing loss
Webers = place tuning fork on forehead:
- Normal = sound heard in the centre
- Conductive hearing loss = sound heard loudest in the BAD EAR (because it can conduct through the bone!)
- Sensorineural hearing loss = sound heard loudest in the GOOD ear
Rinnes = place tuning fork in front of and then behind the ear
Normal = Air conduction > bone conduction
Conductive hearing loss = bone conduction > air conduction
Snesorineural hearing loss = Air conduction > bone conduction
What is the typical presentation of a thyroglossal cyst?
Midline non-painful neck lump that moves up on tongue protrusion!
What is the typical presentation of leukoplakia?
White thickenings /plaques on the oral mucosa that CANNOT BE SCRAPED OFF (differentiates it from candidiasis)
= a premalignancy so should be biopsied.
What is the typical presentation of a branchial cyst?
slowly enlarging mass anterior to sternocleidomastoid.
DOES NOT move with swallowing / tongue protrusion (helps to differentiate from thyroglossal cyst)
How should all patients presenting with unilateral sensorineural hearing loss be investigated, regardless of if no accompanying symptoms?
MRI of the internal auditory meatus to exclude acoustic neuroma
What is the typical presentation of otosclerosis?
Autosomal dominant, so has a family history component
Progressive conductive hearing loss due to ^ bone turnover in the inner ear leading to sclerosis.
No Tx -> bilateral hearing aids
What is a myringoplasty?
Surgery to repair tympanic membrane perforation
What is the window after a broken nose to remanipulate under anaesthetic
14 days to manipulate under anaesthetic -> should be seen in ENT ~ day 7 once the swelling has gone down to see if manipulation is appropriate.
After day 14, rhinoplasty is needed
1st line antibiotic for acute otitis media?
Amoxicillin
What is the 1st line investigation for FUNCTIONAL assessment of solitary nodules?
Radioisotope scanning
What is the typical presentation of BPPV?
SUDDEN onset and short-lasting rotatory vertigo associated with certain head positioning.
IF THERE IS HEARING LOSS ASSOCIATED, IT IS NOT BPPV!!
Due to crystals in the semi-circular canal
Dx = Dix-Halpike maneuvre (recreates the symptoms) Tx = Epley maneuvre
What is the typical presentation of Meniere’s disease?
On/off attacks of vertigo lasting several hours + aural fullness + vomiting + hearing loss.
Tx = betahistine to reduce freq of attacks
and prochlorperazine or cyclizine for symptom control during the acute attacks
What is the typical presentation of larnygomalacia?
Low pitched stridor in the infant worse during sleeping, feeding, excitement or concurrent URTI.
Floppy laryngeal folds, normally self-resolves by age 2