ENT Flashcards
What is quinsy ?
Common name for peritonsillar abscess
Arises when there is a bacterial infection with trapped pus forming an abscess in the region of the tonsils.
What are some generic symptoms of quinsy ?
Sore throat
Painful swallowing
Fever
Neck pain
Referred ear pain
Swollen tender lymph nodes
What are some additional symptoms that indicate quinsy in addition to the symptoms of tonsillitis ?
Trismus - refers to when the patient is unable to open their mouth
Change in voice - pharyngeal swelling ( hot potato voice )
Swelling and erythema in the area beside the tonsils
What is the most common cause of quinsy ?
Bacterial infection - streptococcus pyogenes
Also - staph aureus and H.Influenza
What is the management of quinsy ?
Incision and drainage
Some ENT surgeons give steroids ( dexamethasone )
What is a tonsillectomy ?
A surgical procedure for the removal of the tonsils
What are some indications for a tonsillectomy ?
Recurrent tonsillitis. NICE requires the number of episodes is :
- 7 or more in 1 year
- 5 per year for 2 years
- 3 per year for 3 years
Other indications - recurrent tonsillar abscesses and enlarged tonsils causing difficulty breathing, swallowing or snoring
What are some complications of a tonsillectomy ?
Pain, particularly a sore throat where the tonsillar tissue has been removed.
Damage to teeth
Infection
Post-tonsillectomy bleeding
Risks of a general anaesthetic
What is the main significant complication after a tonsillectomy ?
Post tonsillectomy bleeding
What is the management of post tonsillectomy bleeding ?
Call the ENT reg
Get IV access and send bloods - FBC, clotting screen, group and save and cross match
Analgesia
Spit blood rather than swallow
NBM
What is otitis media ?
Infection in the middle ear.
How can bacteria get into the middle ear ?
The bacteria enter from the back of the throat through the Eustachian tube.
A bacterial infection of the middle ear is often preceded by a viral upper resp tract infection
What are the most common bacterial causes of otitis media ?
Streptococcus pneumoniae
Other causes - h. Influenza, Moraxella catarrhalis
How does otitis media present ?
Ear pain
Reduced hearing in the affected ear
Fever
Upper airway infection - cough, coryzal symptoms, sore throat
What is seen on examination in otitis media ?
Use on otoscope
Bulging, red, inflamed looking membrane
What is the management of otitis media ?
Most resolve without antibiotics
Simple analgesia
Consider prescribing antibiotics - amoxicillin
What are some factors in prescribing antibiotics for otitis media ?
Less than 2 years old
Bilateral otitis media
Otorrhoea
What are some complications of otitis media ?
Otitis medial with effusion
Hearing loss
Perforated eardrum
Recurrent infection
Mastoiditis
Abscess
What is glue ear ?
Otitis media with effusion - the middle ear becomes full of fluid, causing a loss of hearing in that ear.
What is the main symptom of glue ear ?
Reduction in hearing of that ear
What is the main complication of glue ear ?
Infection
What would show up on otoscopy in glue ear ?
Dull tympanic membrane with air bubbles
Visual fluid level
What is the management of glue ear ?
Referral for Audiometry to help establish the diagnosis
Glue ear is usually treated conservatively and resolves within 3 months.
What are some conditions increasing the risk of glue ear ?
Down’s syndrome
Cleft palate
What are grommets ?
Tiny tubes inserted into the tympanic membrane by an ENT surgeon.
This is allows fluid from the middle ear to drain through the tympanic membrane to the ear canal.