ENT Flashcards
When should prochlorperazine be used in vestibular neuronitis?
In the acute phases only as it can delay recovery if used long term
What can be used to distinguish vestibular neuronitis from a posterior circulation stroke?
HiNTs exam - head impulse test, test of skew and assessing nystagmus
What are the red flags of chronic rhinosinusitis?
unilateral symptoms
persistent symptoms despite compliance with 3 months of treatment
epistaxis
Vestibular neuronitis vs acute labyrinthitis?
Hearing will not be affected in VN
Ear swelling/rash behind the ear in someone with ?otitis media
Same day referral to Paeds ?Mastoiditis
Horizontal nystagmus is a sign of what?
Vestibular neuronitis
How should a perforated ear drum be managed?
Refer to ENT if persists beyond 6 weeks
What is a C/I to prescribing naseptin cream?
peanut, soy or neomycin allergies
conductive hearing loss, tinnitus and positive family history
Otosclerosis
bilateral high-frequency hearing loss suggests what?
Prebycusis
What are the 2 common post op complications of tonsillectomy?
- Pain
- Haemorrhage
How does haemorrhage present following tonsillectomy?
Primary: Within 6-8 hours following surgery -> needs immediate return to theatre
Secondary: 5-10 days after surgery usually associated with wound infection -> treated with admission/abx
When should intranasal steroids be considered for sinusitis?
If symptoms have been present for 10 days or more
What is the management of acute sensorineural hearing loss?
Urgent referral to ENT for audiology and brain MRI
What is Ludwigs angina?
A progressive cellulitis which invades floor of the mouth and soft tissues of the neck usually following dental infection
How does Ludwigs angina present?
- Neck swelling
- Dysphagia
- Fever
- Needs immediate referral to hospital for airway management and IV Abx
Management of post op stridor for thyroidectomy?
Urgent removal of sutures and call for senior help
What does post thyroidectomy stridor suggest?
Post op bleed which build pressure behind suture line and compresses trachea causing stridor
What are the NICE indications for tonsillectomy?
- Sore throats due to tonsillitis
- 5 or more episodes per year
- Symptoms occurring for atleast 1 year
- Episodes of sore throat are preventing normal function
What is the most common cause of bacterial otitis media?
H influenzae
What does pain on palpation of the tragus, itching, discharge and hearing loss suggest?
Otitis externa
What is the management of a patient with persistent hoarse voice?
Refer to ENT
What causes gingival hyperplasia?
phenytoin, ciclosporin, calcium channel blockers and AML
When should Abx be given for acute otitis media?
- Symptoms lasting more than 4 days or not improving
- Systemically unwell but not requiring admission
- Immunocompromise or high risk of complications
- Younger than 2 years with bilateral otitis media
- Otitis media with perforation and/or discharge in the canal
Which drugs cause tinnitus?
- Aspirin/NSAIDs
- Aminoglycosides e.g gentamicin
- Loop diuretics
- Quinine
What is the most important part of the tympanic membrane to visualise in patients with chronic discharge?
Attic - rule of cholesteatoma
After referral to ENT, patients with sudden onset sensorineural loss should be given what?
high-dose oral corticosteroids
What is an indication of positive Dix-Hallpike?
Rotatory nystagmus
What can be used to shrink nasal polyps?
Intranasal steroid spray/drops
What is the biggest risk factor for malignant otitis externa?
Diabetes Mellitus
What is the most common cause of sudden onset sensorineural hearing loss?
Idiopathic
What is a complication of nasal trauma?
Nasal septal haematoma
What is a nasal septal haematoma?
- Bilateral red swelling arising from the nasal septum
- Needs ENT referral for surgical drainage and IV Abx
What are signs of more severe otitis externa?
- a red, oedematous ear canal which is narrowed and obscured by debris
- conductive hearing loss
- discharge
- regional lymphadenopathy
- cellulitis spreading beyond the ear
- fever
How should otitis externa be managed?
Topical Abx or Abx + Steroids
How to interpret audiograms?
- is there anything below 20dB
yes = move to step 2
no = normal hearing - is there a gap? (b/w air and bone conduction)
yes = conductive or mixed hearing loss
no = sensorineural hearing loss - is one below or both below the 20dB line
one = conductive
both = mixed
What would be the results of audiometric testing for presbycusis?
Bilateral high-frequency hearing loss with air conduction better than bone
Patient with black/brown/green tongue?
- Think black hairy tongue
- More common in those with poor hygiene/IV drug users/HIV
- Treated with tongue scraping/antifungals if candida
What can occur after trauma to the ear?
Auricular haemtoma - needs same day assessment by ENT for drainage
What is the first line oral abx for otitis externa?
Oral Flucloxacillin
What is the management of otitis externa in diabetics?
Ciprofloxacin ear drops to cover for Pseudomonas