ENT Flashcards
What is presbycusis?
Bilateral SN hearing loss of high frequencies as one gets older
Presentation of presbycusis
- older
- hearing loss which is insidious and progressive
- patients won’t necessarily complain about hearing loss due to its gradual onset but may be worried about dementia (miss details in conversations/accuse of not paying attention)
- higher frequencies - female voices for example
- worse in noisy environments
- worse on the phone
-trouble hearing TV/radio - possible tinnitus
Why and how do we manage presbycusis?
People with hearing loss are more likely to develop dementia
Support the person - reduce background noise, hearing aids/cochlea implants
Investigations of presbycusis
Audiometry
What is otosclerosis?
It is a form of conductive hearing loss, inherited in an autosomal dominant pattern which leads to the stiffening of the ossicles. In particular the base of the stapes
Presentation of otosclerosis
- < 40 years old
- low pitched sounds
- loss of male voice
- tinnitus
- can hear own voice loudly and so may speak quietly
- can be uni or bi
Management of otosclerosis
- conservative with hearing aids
- surgical - stapedectomy or stapedotomy, with prosthesis
Investigations of otosclerosis
- audiometry
- tympanometry
- high res CT
Causes of SSNHL
90% are idiopathic but:
- infection
- meniere’s
- ototoxic medications
- MS
- stroke
- migraine
- acoustic neuroma
- Cogan’s syndrome
Investigations of SSNHL
Audiometry - 30dB in 3 consecutive frequencies
CT/MRI
Management of SSNHL
- ENT in 24 hours
- treat the underlying cause
- if idiopathic can start steroids (oral or intratympanic)
What is an acoustic neuroma?
A benign tumour of the Schwan cells surrounding the auditory nerve
If bilateral, almost certainly due to neurofibromatosis type II
Presentation of acoustic neuroma?
- SSNHL
- fullness in the ear
- dizzy
- tinnitus
- unilateral
- can have associated facial nerve palsy
Investigating acoustic neuroma
- audiometry
- CT or MRI
Management of acoustic neuroma
- watch and wait
- surgery
- radiotherapy
Cause of central vestibular dysfunction
1) Vestibular migraine
- episodes of vestibular symptoms lasting 5 minutes to 72 hours with migrainous features
- treated as migraines
2) Posterior circulation stroke
-associated with sensory and motor dysfunction
- may also have dysarthria/dysphagia, visual problems or ataxia/vertigo
What is HINTS test?
1) Head impulse
Positive - corrective saccade –> peripheral (reassuring)
2) Nystagmus
Unidirectional is reassuring (beats in one direction)
3) Test of skew
Any movement –> central
Causes of peripheral vestibular dysfunction
- Vestibular neuritis
- Labyrinthitis
- Meniere’s disease
- Bening paroxysmal positional veritgo
Presentation of vestibular neuronitis
- vertigo (worse initially, may be constant and then triggered by or worsened by movement)
- N&V (can be severe)
- lack of balance
- recent viral URTI
- NO HEARING LOSS OR TINNITUS
Management of vestibular neuronitis
- admission if dehydrated secondary to N&V
- prochlorperazine or antihistamines (only for a few days)
- self resolves in 2 to 6 weeks
- worse at the start
Presentation of labyrinthitis
– vertigo (worse initially, may be constant and then triggered by or worsened by movement)
- SNHL
- Tinnitus
- Recent URTI
- Rule out bacterial - meningitis or AOM
Management of labyrinthitis
- Prochlorperazine or antihistamines for a few days only
BPPV presentation
- 20 to 60-second attacks of vertigo due to a change in position
- typically turning over in bed
- last a few weeks then resolves and can come back
- NO HEARING LOSS OR TINNITUS
Investigation for BPPV
- Dix-Hallpike manoeuvre (ensure no neck pathology)