ENT Flashcards
Label the parts of the tympanic membrane
Describe the blood supply of the external ear
Arterial - branches of external carotid
* Posterior auricular
* Superficial temporal
* Occipital
* Maxillary
Veins follow arteries and drain to external jugular
What are the auditory ossicles? Describe their anatomy and function.
Malleus, incus and stapes
Connect tympanic membrane to oval window, transmit vibrations to detect sound
Muscles attached which contract to prevent vibrations when there is a loud noise to prevent damage to inner ear (acoustic reflex)
Tensor tympani attached to handle of malleus, innervated by tensor tympani nerve from mandibular nerve
Stapedius attached to stapes, innervated by facial nerve
Why is otitis media more common in children?
Eustachian tubes shorter, straighter, ‘floppier’ than in adults, transmit URTIs to ear
Describe the anatomy of the inner ear
Bony labyrinth - contains cochlea, semicircular canals, vestibule
Membraneous labyrinth - within bony labyrinth, contains cochlear duct, semi-circular ducts, utricle and saccule, filled with endolymph
Oval window and round window connect middle ear to inner ear
Vestibular apparatus (balance) = semi-circular ducts, saccule and utricle
Hearing - cochlear duct, containing organ of Corti
Vestibulocochlear nerve innervates
Describe the anatomy of the oral cavity
Vestibule anteriorly - between lips/cheeks and teeth/gums
Roof - hard (bony) palate anteriorly, soft palate posteriorly
Cheeks formed by buccinator muscle
Floor - muscular diaphragm (mylohyoid muscles), geniohyoid muscles, tongue connected by frenulum, salivary glands/ducts
Innervation
Taste - anterior 2/3 is facial nerve, posterior 1/3 is glossopharyngeal nerve
Motor - hypoglossal nerve
Sensation - lingual and glossopharyngeal nerve
Describe the borders of the anterior triangle of the neck
Superior - inferior angle of mandible
Lateral - anterior border of sternocleidomastoid muscle
Medial - sagittal line down midline of neck
Describe the important contents of the anterior triangle of the neck
Muscles - divided into above and below hyoid bone
* Suprahyoid - stylohyoid, digastric, mylohyoid, geniohyoid
* Infrahyoid - omohyoid, sternohyoid, thyrohyoid, sternothyroid
Vascular
* Common carotid artery - bifurcates into internal and external
* Internal jugular vein
Nerves
* Facial
* Glossopharyngeal
* Vagus
* Accessory
* Hypoglossal
Describe the borders of the posterior triangle of the neck
Anterior - posterior border of sternocleidomastoid muscle
Posterior - anterior border of trapezius muscle
Inferior - middle 1/3 of clavicle
Describe the important contents of the posterior triangle of the neck
Muscles
* Omohyoid
* Levator scapulae
* Anterior, medial and posterior scalenes
Vascular
* External jugular vein
* Subclavian vein
* Distal part of subclavian artery which becomes axillary artery as it crosses first rib
Nerves
* Accessory nerve
* Cervical plexus including phrenic nerve
* Brachial plexus
Describe the anatomical location and blood supply of the thyroid gland
Anterior neck, C5-T1 level
Two lobes with central isthmus
In visceral compartment of neck with trachea, oesophagus and pharynx, bound by pre-tracheal fascia
Lies in close proximity to recurrent laryngeal nerve - can be damaged during thyroid surgery
Arterial supply
* Superior thyroid - first branch of external carotid
* Inferior thyroid - thyrocervical trunk from subclavian
Venous drainage - superior, middle and inferior thyroid veins, superior and middle drain to internal jugular and inferior into brachiocephalic
Describe the anatomy of the pharynx
Connect oral cavity and nose to larynx and oesophagus
Begins at base of skull and ends at cricoid cartilage (C6 level)
Nasopharynx (base of skull to soft palate) -> oropharynx (soft palate to epiglottis) -> laryngopharynx (epiglottis to cricoid cartilage)
Adenoid tonsils in posterior nasopharynx
Lingual and palatine tonsils in oropharynx
Circular muscles which constrict to propel food bolus - superior, middle and inferior pharyngeal constrictors
Mainly innervated by vagus and glossopharyngeal nerves
Arterial supply - branches of external carotid
Venous drainage - pharyngeal venous plexus –> internal jugular
Describe the anatomy of the larynx
Anterior compartment of neck, spans C3-C6, from laryngopharynx to trachea
Formed by cartilaginous skeleton held together by ligaments and membranes
Supraglottis (inferior epiglottis to vestibular folds) –> glottis (vocal cords and 1cm below) –> subglottis (inferior glottis to inferior cricoid cartilage)
Vascular
* Arterial - superior and inferior laryngeal arteries
* Venous - superior and inferior laryngeal veins
Innervation
* Recurrent laryngeal nerve and superior laryngeal nerve
Describe the cartilages of the larynx
Unpaired
* Epiglottis - flattens during swallowing to block off larynx and prevent aspiration
* Thyroid - anteriorly forms laryngeal prominence (Adam’s apple)
* Cricoid - signet ring shaped
Paired
* Arytenoid
* Corniculate
* Cuneiform
Describe the clinically important anatomy of the laryngeal soft tissue structures
Cricothyroid ligament - incision made during cricothyroidotomy for upper airway obstruction to insert ET tube and secure airway
Vocal folds (true) - soft tissue folds which move under control of muscles of phonation to control the pitch of sound
Vestibular folds (false vocal cords) - superior to true, protect larynx
List the important anatomical structures which pass through the parotid gland
Facial nerve - splits into terminal branches within parotid (temporal, zygomatic, buccal, marginal mandibular, cervical)
External carotid artery - gives off posterior auricular then splits into terminal branches (maxillary artery and superficial temporal artery)
Retromandibular vein - formed in parotid by convergence of superficial temporal and maxillary veins
List the salivary glands and describe their drainage
Sublingual - smallest, drain via minor sublingual ducts of Rivinus under tongue
Parotid - drain via Stensen duct, opens near second upper molar
Submandibular - drain via Wharton’s duct, opens at base of lingual frenulum
Describe the physiology of swallowing
Voluntary phase - food bolus formed by mastication, moved to pharynx by tongue, stimulated swallowing reflex
Pharyngeal phase - pressure receptors in pharynx stimulated which activate swallowing centre in brainstem to inhibit respiration, raised larynx, close glottis, open upper oesophageal sphincter
Soft palate elevated to block nasopharynx
Bolus moved down via peristalsis of pharyngeal constrictors
Oesophageal phase - larynx lowers to normal position, cricopharyngeus muscle contracts to prevent reflux, respiration begins again
Bolus moved down by peristalsis
Describe the anatomy of the nasal cavity
Superior, middle and inferior turbinates (or conchae) with corresponding meatuses between - slows air flow to allow for humidification
Paranasal sinuses, nasolacrimal duct and Eustachian tube empty into nasal cavity
Cribiform plate forms portion of roof of nasal cavity - where olfactory nerve fibres enter
Vascular supply
Internal carotid branches - anterior and posterior ethmoidal
External carotid branches - sphenopalatine, greater palatine, superior labial, lateral nasal
Lots of anastomoses, anteriorly form Kiesselbach’s plexus, posteriorly form Woodruff plexus
Veins drain to pterygoid plexus, facial vein or cavernous sinus (intracranial spread of infections)
Define stridor
Externally audible, high-pitched sound caused by turbulent airflow due to obstruction of the upper respiratory tract (pharynx, larynx or trachea)
Describe the clinical presentation of acute airway obstruction
Mild
* Hoarse voice
* Intermittent stridor
* Minimal impact on work of breathing
* Good air entry
Moderate
* Tachypnoea
* Stridor
* Prolonged inspiratory time
* Increased work of breathing
* Decreased air entry
Severe to complete obstruction
* Hypoxia
* Slow respiratory rate or marked tachypnoea
* Tripod position
* Agitated or drowsy
* Severe work of breathing
* Markedly reduced or no air movement
* Silent gagging/coughing
* Progresses rapidly to unconsciousness and cardiorespiratory arrest
Describe the immediate management of acute airway obstruction
Suction secretions or remove foreign body from airway if visible
Oxygen - heliox if available
Alert seniors including ENT/anaesthetics
Consider nebulised adrenaline
Consider nebulised salbutamol
Consider dexamethasone oral/IM/IV
Definitive airway management
Endotracheal intubation if able
Emergency cricothyroidotomy if upper airway obstruction
If due to tumour - radiotherapy, laser, stenting
Describe the immediate management of ear foreign bodies
Ask about pain/discharge from ear, hearing loss
Examination - otoscopy to visualise foreign body
Live insects - drown in oil
Remove using Zoelner sucker, crocodile forceps, Jobson-Horne probes, wax hooks etc.
If unable to be removed can be discharged and scheduled for foreign body to be removed under GA (unless button battery which needs to be immediately removed)
Describe the immediate management of a nose foreign body
Ask about issues with breathing and nasal discharge
Examine with Thucidum speculum and a light
Attempt to remove
If distressed or has breathing difficulty - emergency removal under GA
Describe the immediate management of throat foreign bodies
Clarify nature of object (sharp or soft), ask about dysphagia
Visual examination of oropharynx using tongue depressor and torch, fexible nasal endoscopy if not visible on initial assessment
If moderate clinical suspicion of ingested foreign body (which is radio-opaque) can use plain film radiographs, or CT neck for further assessment
If visualised can attempt removal with Magill forceps
Otherwise should be under GA with endoscopy
List causes of tympanic membrane perforation
Secondary to acute otitis media - most common
Barotrauma
Noise trauma
Blunt/penetrating trauma
Iatrogenic - Grommet insertion
Describe the clinical presentation of tympanic membrane perforation
History of trauma/infection
Acute ear pain
Discharge
Conductive hearing loss
How is tympanic membrane perforation managed?
Examination - otoscopy
If uncomplicated usually heal spontaneously after 6-8 weeks
Supportive measures - NSAIDs, hot compresses
Avoid getting waer in ear while healing to prevent secondary infections
If due to acute otitis media usually give antibiotics
If not healing - myringoplasty
Describe the immediate management of nasal fracture
Assessment - mechanism of injury, ?immediate deformity, ?new nasal obstruction, previous nasal fracture/injury
Inspect for ecchymosis, swelling over nasal bridge, visible deformity of bones, epistaxis
Anterior rhinoscopy with nasal speculum - look for epistaxis, septal deviation, septal haematoma (requires immediate ENT referral)
Imaging not required unless other injuries are suspected e.g. skull fracture
Allow swelling to go down and re-examine in 5-7 days, if still deformity causing cosmetic concern can undergo manipultation under anaesthesia (must be <14 days after injury)
If manipulation unsuccessful, severe deformity and septal deviation with nasal obstruction >14 days after injury - septorhinoplasty
How should nasal septal haematomas be managed? Why?
Formation of haematoma deprives cartilage of blood supply, becomes ischaemic leading to necrosis and septal perforation - saddle nose deformity
Can also become infected - septal abscess
Management
Incision and drainage - usually under GA
Antibiotics
What are the potential complications of nasal trauma?
Epistaxis
Septal haematoma - risk of saddle deformity
Septal abscess
Associated serious head injury/facial fracture
List the blood vessels which make up Kiesselbach’s plexus
Greater palatine
Anterior ethmoidal
Superior labial
Sphenopalatine
Describe the classification of epistaxis based on location
Anterior - majority, from Little’s area (Kiesselbach’s plexus), tends to be younger patients
Posterior - 10%, usually from sphenopalatine artery, more likely in older patients
Describe the aetiology of and risk factors for epistaxis
Primary - spontaneous
Secondary
Trauma
Intranasal drugs - decongestants, steroids, illicit drugs
Weather
Anatomical variants e.g. deviated septum
Systemic causes
Tumours
Risk factors:
Rhinitis
Viral/bacterial sinusitis
Septal deviation
Bleeding disorders
Decompensated heart failure
Trauma with facial injury
Hepatic or renal impairment
Anticoagulant or antiplatelet drugs
Uncontrolled hypertension
What are the important differentials for secondary causes of epistaxis in adults and children?
VINDICATE
Vascular - juvenile nasopharyngeal angiofibroma
Infective/inflammatory - sarcoidosis, tuberculosis, acute sinusitis
Neoplastic - juvenile angiofibroma, squamous cell carcinoma, adenoid cystic carcinoma, inverted papilloma
Degenerative
Iatrogenic/intoxication - topical antihistamines/decongestants/steroids, alcohol, snorting cocaine, NG tube, ET intubation
Congenital - hereditary haemorrhagic telangiectasia, Von Willebrand disease, haemophilia
Autoimmune - granulomatosis with polyangiitis, sarcoidosis
Trauma - facial fracture, nose picking, foreign body
Endocrine
Describe the immediate management of epistaxis
First aid initially:
Sit up and lean forwards, allow blood to pass out of nose/mouth
Compression of the anterior nose (the soft part) for 20 minutes continuously
Ice over bridge/back of neck/in mouth - encourages vasoconstriction
A-E assessment
FBC, U&Es, coagulation screen
Do they need fluid resuscitation? Is there evidence of shock?
Anterior rhinoscopy - can a bleeding point be identified?
Can use silver nitrate cautery if bleeding point visible
Check posterior pharynx for dripping blood
Nasal packing:
Anterior nasal packing is second-line after first aid, insert nasal tampon or rapid rhino aiming medially and inferiorly
Can use adrenaline soaked packing materials to cause local vasoconstriction
If no improvement may need to pack contralateral nostril
Posterior nasal packing - foley catheter
Uncontrolled bleeding - contact senior, A-E assessment, IV access, bloods including FBC, group + save
After bleeding controlled - prescribe naseptin cream, advise to avoid blowing nose, strenuous exercise, drinking alcohol/hot drinks for a few hours
Describe definitive management for uncontrolled epistaxis which fails to respond to initial measures
Surgical management:
Ligation or embolisation of bleeding artery
Usually sphenopalatine, anterior ethmoidal (never embolised due to ICA origin) or external carotid artery as last resort
What is the difference between a tracheostomy and laryngectomy, how can they be distinguished clinically and what are the implications of this?
Tracheostomy - opening from skin to trachea but normal anatomy of upper airway, connection between mouth/nose and airway still present, can be temporary or long-term, may or may not be able to speak
Laryngectomy - part/all of larynx removed, proximal part of airway communicates with skin, no connection between mouth/nose and airway, are permanent, not able to speak naturally
Can be difficult to distinguish clinically, sign above bed to indicate
If have a laryngectomy and require ventilation can only ventilate via stoma (no connection between mouth/nose and lungs)
If have a tracheostomy can ventilate via both mouth/nose and stoma, put oxygen masks over both
In both need to consider obstruction as cause of airway problem - suction, remove tube if blocked
What are the common reasons for creation of a tracheostomy?
Long-term mechanical ventilation - often weaning off ventilation in ICU patients
Upper airway obstruction
Secure and maintain a safe airway in cases where upper airway may be unsafe e.g. injuries to face/head/neck
Bronchial toilet and secretion removal
Airway protection e.g. neuromuscular disorders
Describe the resuscitation of a patient with a tracheostomy
- Check bedside sign
- Call for airway expert help - anaesthetist, ENT
- Look, listen and feel at mouth and tracheostomy
- If not breathing call resuscitation team, CPR if no pulse or signs of life
- If breathing apply high-flow oxygen to tracheostomy and face
- Assess tracheostomy patency, remove speaking valve or cap if present, remove inner tube
- If can pass a suction catheter tracheostomy tube is patent, perform suction, ventilate via tracheostomy if not breathing, continue A-E assessment
- If can’t pass suction catheter deflate cuff, look, listen and feel at mouth and trachestomy
- If patient still unstable/not improving - remove tracheostomy tube
- If still not breathing - perform standard oral airway manoeuvres while covering stoma (bag-valve-mask, airway adjuncts)
- If still unsuccessful may need to orally intubate (likely to be difficult) or attempt to intubate stoma
Describe the resuscitation of a patient with a laryngectomy
- Check bedside sign
- Call for airway help - anaesthetist, ENT
- Look, listen, feel at mouth and laryngectomy stoma
- If patient is breathing apply high flow oxygen to laryngectomy stoma
- If patient not breathing call resuscitation team, begin CPR if no pulse/signs of life
- Assess laryngectomy stoma patency, remove stoma cover and inner tube if present
- If you can pass a suction catheter the laryngectomy stoma is patent, suction and ventilate via stoma if not breathing, continue A-E assessment
- If cannot pass suction catheter deflate cuff, look, listen and feel at laryngectomy stoma
- If patient not improving remove tube from stoma, re-apply oxygen to stoma
- If still not breathing give laryngectomy stoma ventilation via paediatric face mask applied to stoma or LMA applied to stoma, may need to attempt intubation of stoma
List findings on observation of oral cavity
Face - parotid or submandibular gland swelling
Lips - angular stomatitis, hyperpigmented macules (Peutz-Jeghers syndrome), ulceration
Teeth - missing teeth, tar staining, tooth decay
Gums - gingivitis, periodontitis, ulceration
Tongue - oral candidiasis, glossitis, ulceration, hairy leukoplakia
Buccal mucosa - aphthous ulcers, other ulcers
Parotid duct - swelling, erythema, discharge
Palate - oral candidiasis, ulceration, papillomas
Tonsils - enlargement, asymmetry, ulceration, stones
Peritonsillar swelling
Pharyngitis
Uvular deviation
Floor of mouth - submandibular gland sialolithiasis/sialodenitis, ulceration
Findings on nasal cavity examination
External nose - basal cell carcinomas, squamous cell carcinomas, keratoacanthoma, deformity
Nasal cavity
Septum - deviation, perforation, haematoma, previous cautery
Mucosa - inflammation, ulceration, oedema
Inferior turbinates - asymmetry, inflammation, polyps
How is a Thudiculum’s speculum used?
Widens the nasal cavity to allow for inspection
Insert index finger into bend, support above with thumb, middle and ring fingers manipulate prongs
Press prongs together to allow insertion then allow them to widen to get optimal view
Findings on inspection neck examination
- General - scars, hoarse voice, dyspnoea/stridor, hyperthyroidism symptoms (anxiety, hyperactivity, heat intolerance, exophthalmos)
- Swallowing
- Tongue protrusion - thyroglossal cysts move upwards
- Lumps - site, size, shape, consistency, mobility, fluctuance, temperature, skin changes, pulsatility, tenderness
- Thyroid - size, symmetry, consistency, masses, thrill
Findings on inspection ear examination
External ear
* Pinna - asymmetry, deformity, erythema, oedema, scars, skin lesions
* Mastoid - erythema, swelling, scars
* Pre-auricular - sinus/pit, lymphadenopathy
* Conchal bowl - erythema, purulent discharge
External auditory canal
* Ear wax
* Erythema/oedema
* Discharge
* Foreign bodies
Tympanic membrane
* Erythema
* Bulging
* Retraction
* Absence or distortion of the light reflex
* Perforation
* Scarring
Which clinical tests can be used to assess balance?
Romberg test - assess proprioception with visual stimulus removed, abnormal if unable to stay upright
Dix-Hallpike test - used to diagnose BPPV and confirm affected side, nystagmus and dizziness when moving head 45 degrees to side and going from sitting to lying
HINTS - head-impulse, nystagmus, test of skew
Unterberger - march in place with eyes closed, rotate to side of labyrinthine lesion
Tandem gait
List the potential complications of flexible nasal endoscopy
Pain in nose and pharynx
Sneezing
Epistaxis - usually mild
Laryngospasm - rare and serious
Rare to cause damage to structures - more common with rigid scopes
What are the indications for nasal endoscopy?
Evaluating nasal symptoms e.g. discharge, congestion, obstruction
Taking biopsies of nasal lesions/masses
Removing foreign bodies
Investigation of symptoms of malignancy - dysphagia, hoarseness, pain
Describe the principles of fine needle aspiration for cytology
Use narrow gauge needle into mass to sample cells which are examined under microscopy
Does not show architecture of lesion
Safe, few complications compared with major open biopsy
Define otitis externa
Infection of the external auditory canal
Describe the aetiology of and risk factors for otitis externa
Infectious:
Bacterial - pseudomonas aeruginosa, staph aureus
Fungal - candida albicans, aspergillus
Non-infectious:
Eczema
Seborrhoeic dermatitis
Contact dermatitis
Risk factors:
Swimming
Immunosuppression e.g. diabetes
Anatomical abnormalities of ear canals e.g. Down’s
Describe the clinical presentation of otitis externa
Ear pain
Itch
Discharge
Conductive hearing loss
Fever
On otoscopy - erythema, oedema, eczematous canal, serous or purulent discharge
Regional lymphadenopathy
How is otitis externa managed?
Usually clinical diagnosis, can take swabs if recurrent/not responding to treatment
Self-care measures - keep ears clean and dry
Acetic acid drops
Analgesia
Aural toilet - clean external auditory canal to allow effective application of topical treatments
Topical antibiotic (gentamicin not if perforation, ciprofloxacin) +/- topical steroid
If fungal - clotrimazole
Can use otowick to allow topical treatments to permeate deeper
List the potential complications of otitis externa
Malignant otitis externa
Pinna/peri-auricular cellulitis
Cranial nerve palsy - facial nerve
Meningitis
Intracranial thrombosis
Myringitis and tympanic membrane perforation
Define malignant otitis externa, describe its epidemiology
Spread of infection beyond soft tissue of ear to temporal bone and skull base
More common in elderly and diabetics (or otherwise immunocompromised)
Describe the presentation and complications of malignant otitis externa
Non-resolving otitis externa despite adequate topical treatment
Pseudomonas most common cause
Severe ear pain
Headaches
Fever
Granulation tissue in the ear canal (at junction between bone and cartilage)
Can cause osteonecrosis, cranial nerve palsies, meningitis, intracranial thrombosis
How is malignant otitis externa managed?
Admission under ENT
Imaging - CT/MRI to assess extent of infection
IV antibiotics
Debridement
Define skull base osteomyelitis and describe its aetiology
Infection of temporal, sphenoid or occipital bones
Usually spread from ear or sinonasal infections in elderly patients with diabetes or otherwise immunocompromised
Pathogens - pseudomonas, staph aureus
Describe the clinical presentation of skull base osteomyelitis
Often non-specific
Headache
Facial pain
Symptoms of original infection - otitis externa, sinusitis
Cranial nerve palsy - VII, VIII, VI
How should skull base osteomyelitis be investigated and managed?
CT head with contrast/MRI
IV antibiotics
May need surgical debridement
Define acute otitis media, chronic otitis media, otitis media with effusion and recurrent acute otitis media
Acute otitis media - acute inflammation of middle ear, <3 weeks, causing pain, fever, hearing loss
Recurrent acute otitis media - 3 or more episodes in 6 months or 4 or more in 12 months
Otitis media with effusion - collection of fluid in middle ear without acute signs of infection, causing pain/hearing loss
Chronic otitis media - chronic inflammation of the middle ear with recurrent ear discharge, tympanic perforation, >6 weeks
Describe the risk factors for and aetiology of acute otitis media
Risk factors:
Children - peak incidence 9-15 months
More common in winter
Smoking/passive smoking exposure
Nursery
Formula feeding
Craniofacial abnormalities
FHx
Prematurity
Immunodeficiency
Pathogens
Bacterial - haemophilus influenzae, strep pneumoniae, moraxella catarrhalis, strep pyogenes
Viral - RSV, rhinovirus, influenza, parainfluenza
Describe the presentation of acute otitis media
Acute onset
Symptoms
* Ear pain - tugging/rubbing ear, irritable, poor feeding
* Fever
* URTI - cough, rhinorrhoea, sore throat
* Tympanic membrane perforation - discharge
* Vestibular involvement - vertigo, balance problems
Signs
* Red/yellow/cloudy tympanic membrane
* Bulging tympanic membrane, loss of normal landmarks
* Effusion - dull, retracted, bubbles, air-fluid level
* Perforation, discharge in auditory canal
* Conductive hearing loss
Describe the differential diagnoses for acute otitis media and their features
- Otitis media with effusion – no signs of acute infection, air fluid level/bubbles on otoscopy, conductive hearing loss
- Chronic suppurative otitis media – persistent inflammation and perforation of tympanic membrane with draining discharge >2 weeks
- Myringitis – erythema and injection of tympanic membrane, no other features of otitis media
- Other causes of earache – otitis externa, eustachian tube dysfunction, mastoiditis, malignancy, referred pain
How is acute otitis media managed?
Usually resolves without treatment within 3 days (up to 1 week)
Supportive management - paracetamol/ibuprofen for pain
Antibiotics
Immediate prescription - systemically very unwell, symptoms/signs of more serious condition, high risk complications
Otorrhoea/perforation, <2 with bilateral infection - consider Abx, ?delayed prescription if symptoms don’t start to improve within 3 days or significantly worsen at any time
If antibiotic required - 5-7 days amoxicillin (clarithromycin if allergic, erythromycin if allergic and pregnant)
Important to safety net - seek medical attention if deteriorating
What are the potential complications of acute otitis media?
Persistent otitis media with effusion
Recurrent infection
Hearing loss – usually conductive and temporary
Tympanic membrane perforation
Labyrinthitis
Rare and serious:
Acute mastoiditis
Meningitis
Intracranial abscess
Sinus thrombosis
Facial nerve paralysis
How does acute mastoiditis present? How is it managed?
Mastoid pain and tenderness
Fluctuant erythematous retro-auricular swelling
Auricle proptosis
Management:
CT temporal bone and brain
IV antibiotics
Fluid resuscitation
Analgesia, antipyrexial agents
Failure to improve - incision and drainage +/- cortical mastoidectomy +/- grommets
Describe the aetiology of otitis media with effusion
Often occurs following acute episode otitis media
Children:
Chronic inflammatory changes + Eustachian tube dysfunction
Adenoidal infection or hypertrophy
Risks - bottle feeding, smoking exposure, atopy, mucociliary disorders (CF, PCD), craniofacial disorders
Adults:
Blockage of Eustachian tube e.g. infection, occlusive mass (including malignancy)
Describe the clinical presentation of otitis media with effusion
Hearing loss - conductive
In children may be noticed as poor speech and language development or difficulty in school
Sensation of pressure in ear, popping/crackling noises
Mild intermittent ear pain
Tympanic membrane dull, loss of cone of light, bubbles, fluid level
Retracted tympanic membrane
How should otitis media with effusion be investigated?
Pure tone audiometry
Tympanometry
Adults - flexible nasoendoscopy (exclude post-nasal space mass)
How is otitis media with effusion managed?
50% resolve within 3 months - active surveillance often utilised
Non-surgical - hearing aid
Surgical - myingotomy and grommet insertion
Persistent disease and multiple grommet insertion - consider adenoidectomy
Describe the types of chronic otitis media
Mucosal - aka chronic suppurative otitis media, due to tympanic membrane perforation and subsequent inflammation of middle ear mucosa
Squamous - due to retraction of tympanic membrane, associated with formation of a cholesteatoma
Describe the clinical presentation of chronic mucosal otitis media
Chronically discharging ear (>6 weeks), absence of fever or otalgia
Visible perforation of tympanic membrane
History of reurrent acute otitis media, previous ear surgery, trauma to ear
Hearing loss - usually conductive
How is chronic mucosal otitis media managed?
Aural toileting - keep ear clean and ry
Topical antibiotic or steroid
If symptoms >6 weeks and large amount of debris - ENT referal
Most perforations heal spontaneously, if not can be surgically managed (myringoplasty or tympanoplasty)
Describe the pathophysiology of chronic squamous otitis media
Congenital or acquired
Congenital - epidermoid cysts in middle ear
Acquired - chronic negative middle ear pressure from Eustachian tube dysfunction, leaves a retraction pocket which can trap keratinised squamous cell debris, leading to formation of a cyst-like structure which may evolve into a cholesteatoma
Cholesteatomas can induce inflammatory process in temporal bone, leading to local destruction of ossicles (conductive hearing loss), semicircular canals (vertigo), cochlea (sensorineural hearing loss) and facial nerve (facial nerve palsy)
Describe the clinical presentation of cholesteatomas
Initially asymptomatic
Conductive hearing loss (can progress to sensorineural if cochlear destruction)
Purulent, foul-smelling discharge
Tinnitus
Vertigo
Facial nerve palsy
Usually no pain
On examination - pearly, keratinised, waxy mass in attic region on otoscopy
How is a cholesteatoma investigated?
Pure-tone audiogram
CT scan of petrous temporal bone
How is a cholesteatoma managed? What are the potential complications of management?
Surgery - usually via pre- or post-auricular incision into mastoid, remove cholesteasoma
Reconstruction of ossicles
Complications:
Facial weakness
Altered taste
Recurrence of disease
Hearing loss
Tinnitus
Describe the anatomical course of the facial nerve
Intracranial - arises from pons as motor and sensory root, travels through internal acoustic meatus of temporal bone, enters facial canal and fuse, form geniculate ganglion, gives off greater petrosal nerve, nerve to stapedius and chorda tympani, exits facial canal via stylomastoid foramen
Extracranial - gives of posterior auricular nerve, nerve to posterior belly of digastric muscle and stylohyoid muscle, motor root continues into parotid gland, splits into 5 terminal branches which supply the muscles of facial expression
List the terminal branches of the facial nerve and the muscles they innervate
Two zebras bit my cat
Temporal
Zygomatic
Buccal
Marginal mandibular
Cervical
Describe the functions of the facial nerve
Motor – muscles of facial expression, stapedius, posterior digastric, stylohyoid and platysma muscles
Sensory – taste to anterior 2/3 of tongue
Parasympathetic – submandibular and sublingual salivary glands, lacrimal gland
How can upper and lower motor neurone lesions affecting the face be distinguished? Why?
Upper (e.g. stroke) - forehead spared, bilateral innervation from brain
Lower (e.g. Bell’s palsy) - forehead not spared, unilateral innervation from cranial nerve
List the causes of facial nerve palsy
UMN
* CVA - unilateral
* Tumours - unilateral
* Pseudobulbar palsy - bilateral
* Motor neurone disease - bilateral
LMN
* Bell’s palsy
* Ramsay-Hunt syndrome
* Infection - otitis media, malignant otitis externa, HIV, Lyme’s disease
* Systemic disease - diabetes, sarcoidosis, leukaemia, MS, Guillain-Barre
* Tumours - acoustic neuroma, parotid tumours, cholesteatomas
* Trauma - direct facial nerve trauma, damage during surgery, base of skull fractures
Describe the presentation of facial nerve palsies
Usually painless unilateral weakness of facial muscles – drooping of eyebrow and corner of mouth, loss of nasolabial fold, incomplete eye closure, speech difficulty, drooling
Hyperacusis – nerve to stapedius
Altered taste – chorda tympani
Reduced lacrimation – greater petrosal nerve
How are facial nerve palsies graded?
House-Brackmann classification
Grade I - normal
Grade II - mild dysfunction
Grade III - moderate dysfunction (obvious but not dysfiguring asymmetry with movement, complete eye closure with effort)
Grade IV - moderately severe dysfunction (normal symmetry at rest but unable to completely close eye)
Grade V - severe dysfunction (asymmetry at rest, barely any facial muscle movement)
Grade VI - complete paralysis (no movement)
Define Bell’s palsy
Acute, unilateral, idiopathic facial nerve paralysis
Lower motor nuerone facial nerve palsy
Describe the clinical presentation of Bell’s palsy
Rapid onset <72 hours
Ear and postauricular pain - 50%
Numbness or tingling of cheek/mouth
Peak incidence 20-40 years
More common in pregnant women
How is Bell’s palsy managed?
Most recover fully within 3-4 months
If within 72 hours of symptoms onset give prednisolone e.g. 50mg daily for 10 days
Eye care (risk of keratopathy) - lubricating drops, taping/patch at night
Persistent weakness - >3 weeks ENT referral, plastic surgical referral
Surgical management - botox injections, anterior belly of digastric transfer, fascia lata sling, cross-facial nerve grafting
Opthalmology referral for corneal exposure
Describe the aetiology of Ramsay-Hunt syndrome
Reactivation of varicella zoster virus from geniculate ganglion (nucleus of facial nerve)