ENT

Question 1

Otitis externa

Answer 1

• Infection of outer ear canal, which runs from eardrum to outside of head

Question 2

Otitis externa risk

Answer 2

• Excessive moisture in ear canal
• Exposure to high bacteria levels
• Cleaning ear canal (e.g., with cotton swabs
• Ear devices (e.g., ear buds, hearing aids)

Question 3

Otitis externa S+S

Answer 3

• Usually mild unless not treated
• Mild- itching in ear canal, redness inside ear, mild discomfort that’s made worse by pulling on outer ear, some drainage of clear, odourless fluid
• Moderate- more-intense itching, inc P, more-extensive redness, excessive fluid damage, decreased or muffled hearing, feeling of fullness in ear
• Advanced- severe P that may radiate to your face or neck, complete blockage of ear canal, redness or swelling of outer ear, swelling in lymph node in neck, fever

Question 4

Otitis externa prognosis

Answer 4

• Usually treated with ear drops
• Prompt treatment can prevent complications and more serious infections

Question 5

Otitis media

Answer 5

• Infection of the middle ear
• Air-filled space behind eardrum that contains vibrating bones in ear

Question 6

Otitis media cause

Answer 6

• Bacteria or virus
• Often results from another illness- e.g., cold, flu or allergy- that causes congestion and swelling in nasal passages, throat and eustachian (narrow tubes that run from middle ear to high in back of throat

Question 7

Otitis media population

Answer 7

Children

Question 8

Otitis media risks

Answer 8

• Age- children between 6 months and 2 years
• Infant feeding
• Seasonal factors
• Poor air quality
• Cleft palate- difference in bone structure and muscles in children, makes it more difficult for eustachian tube to drain

Question 9

Otitis media S+S

Answer 9

• Onset usually rapid
• Children
  o Ear P, especially when lying down
  o Trouble sleeping
  o Trouble hearing or responding to sounds
  o Loss of balance
  o Drainage of fluid from ear
  o Headache
• Adults
  o Ear P
  o Drainage of fluid from ear
  o Trouble hearing

Question 10

Otitis media prognosis

Answer 10

• Often clear up on own
• Treatment may begin with managing P and monitoring problem
• Sometimes ABs used to clear infection

Question 11

Ramsay hunt syndrome

Answer 11

• Occurs when shingles outbreak affects facial nerve near one of your ears

Question 12

Ramsay hunt syndrome cause

Answer 12

• Varicella-zoster virus which causes chickenpox
• After chicken pox clears up, virus still lived in nerves
• Years later, it may be reactive
• When it does, facial nerves are affected

Question 13

Ramsay hunt population

Answer 13

• More common in adults older than 60
• Rare in children

Question 14

Ramsay hunt risk

Answer 14

• Isn’t contagious
• Can be serious in people with immune problems
• Until rash blisters scab over, avoid physical contact with
  1. Anyone who has never had chickenpox/vaccine
  2. Weak immune system
  3. New-borns
  4. Pregnant women

Question 15

Ramsay hunt syndrome S+S

Answer 15

• Two main symptoms
  1. Painful red rash with fluid-filled blisters on/in around ear
  2. Facial weakness or paralysis on same side as affected ear
• Usually occur at same time
• Ear P
• Hearing loss
• Tinnitus
• Difficulty closing one eye
• Change in taste perception

Question 16

Ramsay hunt syndrome prognosis

Answer 16

• Can cause facial paralysis and hearing loss in affected ear
• prompt treatment can reduce risk of complications, which can include permanent facial muscle weakness and deafness

Question 17

Eardrum perforation infection

Answer 17

• Aka ruptured ear drum
• Hole or tear in thin tissue that separates ear canal from middle ear

Question 18

Eardrum perforation infection cause

Answer 18

• Otitis media- often results from accumulation of fluids in middle of ear. Pressure from these fluids can cause eardrum to rupture
• Barotrauma- stress extended on ear drum when air pressure in middle ear and air pressure in enviro are not equal, if pressure is severe rupture can happen
• Acoustic trauma/loud sound
• Foreign objects in ear
• Severe head trauma

Question 19

Perforated ear drum infection risks

Answer 19

• Head trauma
• Loud music
• Changes in pressure- e.g., from flying

Question 20

Eardrum perforation infection S+S

Answer 20

• Ear P that may subside suddenly
• Mucus like, pus-filled or bloody drainage of ear
• Hearing loss
• Tinnitus
• Vertigo
• Nausea or vomiting as result of vertigo

Question 21

Eardrum perforation infection prognosis

Answer 21

• Can result in hearing loss
• Makes middle ear vulnerable to infection- due to bacteria easily being able to enter
• Usually heals within few weeks without treatment, sometimes requires a patch or surgical repair