ENT Flashcards
describe a thyroglossal duct cyst
fibrous cyst that forms from a persistent thyroglossal duct
most common congenital neck mass
features
- midline mass
- elevates with tongue protrusion
- painless (unless infected)
- smooth and cystic
presentation
- dysphagia
- breathing difficulty
treatment
- Sistrunk’s procedure: total resection with central part of hyoid bone to avoid recurrence
describe a branchial cyst
a cystic mass, remnant of embryonic development resulting from failure of obliteration of the second branchial cleft
squamous-lined cyst which develops under skin between SCM and pharynx
presentation
- asymptomatic
- painful if infected
- usually younger adults
investigation - US + FNA
treatment
- conservative
- surgical excision
describe a dermoid cyst
cystic teratoma
> midline mass that does not elevate upon tongue protrusion
contains mature skin, fat, hair
almost always benign
solid or hard in consistency usually limited to the skin
treatment
- complete surgical removal
describe a ranula
cystic swelling of floor of mouth
mucous extravasation from sublingual salivary gland
plunging ranula extends through FOM muscles into neck
describe a carotid body tumour (paragangliomas)
pulsatile compressible mass that refills rapidly on release of pressure
located at the adventitia of the common carotid artery bifurcation
list causes of dysphagia
oropharyngeal
- neurological
- pharyngeal diverticula
- tumour
oesophageal
- achalasia
- stricture
- oesophageal ring
- tumour
list causes of dysphonia
- malignant: squamous cell carcinoma
- benign: vocal cord nodules, papillomas, polyps or cysts
- neuromuscular: vocal cord palsy
- trauma: surgery, intubation, excess use of voice
- endocrine: hypothyroidism
- infective: laryngitis, candida
- functional: muscle tension dysphonia
list investigations and red flag symptoms in dysphonia
investigations
- CXR
- bloods e.g. TFTs
- flexible nasoendoscopic examination of the larynx
red flags
- persistent and worsening
- history of smoking and alcohol use
- accompanying haemoptysis, dysphagia, odynophagia, otalgia, neck mass
- unexplained weight loss
- hoarseness in immunocompromised patient
describe the presenting features of oral cavity cancer
- painless swelling
- non-healing ulcer
- neck swelling, if metastases are present
- red, erythematous, velvety mucous membrane (erythroplakia)
- white (leukoplakia) or mixed red-white lesions (speckled leukoplakia)
- lichen planus
describe laryngeal cancer and its treatment
symptoms
- dysphonia (painless and persistent)
- stridor and haemoptysis
- odynophagia and dysphagia
- neck lump
treatment
- early: radiotherapy or transoral laser surgery
- late: surgery, chemoradiotherapy
describe nasopharyngeal cancer and its treatment
rare tumour of postnasal space
risk factors: South Asian population, EBV
symptoms
- cervical lymphadenopathy
- ear pain, secretory otitis media, hearing loss
- cranial nerve palsy
- epistaxis / discharge
- nasal obstruction
treatment
- chemotherapy and radiotherapy
- surgery
describe oropharyngeal cancer and its treatment
tongue base, posterior 1/3 of tongue, tonsils, soft palate
risk factors: smoking, alcohol, HPV 16/18
symptoms
- painless unilateral tonsillar swelling
- unilateral throat pain with worsening dysphagia
- otalgia
- neck lump
treatment
- early: radiotherapy or endoscopic surgery / TORS surgery
- late: chemoradiotherapy, surgery
describe hypopharyngeal cancer and its treatment
pyriform fossa, postcricoid or posterior pharyngeal wall tumours
risk factors: smoking, alcohol, Paterson-Brown-Kelly syndrome
symptoms
- dysphagia
- odynophagia
- otalgia
- dysphonia
- neck lump
treatment
- early: surgery, radiotherapy
- late: chemoradiotherapy, surgery
describe the signs and symptoms of otitis externa
inflammatory or infective process affecting the skin of the external auditory canal
pathogens: pseudomonas aeruginosa, staph aureus
features
- pruritus
- otalgia
- otorrhoea
- aural fullness
- hearing not affected unless substantial swelling of ear canal
signs
- pain on distraction of pinna
- canal erythema and debris
- post-auricular lymphadenopathy
describe necrotising otitis externa
aka skull base osteomyelitis
features
- pain out of proportion with clinical examination
- discharge
risk factors: elderly, diabetes, immunosuppression, granulations/polyps
otoscopy - granulation tissue on floor of ear canal
associated with intracranial complications
> cranial nerve palsies, subdural empyema
investigations: biopsy, CT/MRI temporal bones, CRP
management
- 6-8 weeks IV antibiotics
- analgesia
describe the signs and symptoms of acute otitis media
acute inflammation of the middle ear with or without effusion
> most cases occur following viral URTI
> superimposed bacterial infection:
> strep pneumoniae, haemophilus influenzae, moraxella catarrhalis
features
- otalgia
- otorrhoea follows pain (if drum perforates)
- pyrexia
- hearing loss
- children may tug at ear
otoscopy - thick hyperaemic tympanic membrane, sometimes spontaneous rupture of TM
describe benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV)
features
- positional vertigo (triggered by head movements)
- asymptomatic in between short-lived attacks (lasting seconds)
- no spontaneous nystagmus, no hearing loss or tinnitus
investigations
- confirm by Dix-Hallpike test
> head turned 45 degrees and neck extended 30 degrees
> nystagmus: latent period, torsional, repeatable, fatiguable
management
- Epley manoeuvre
- Brandt-Daroff exercises
describe the HINTS exam
head impulse test
- vestibular: positive
- brain: negative (usually)
nystagmus
- vestibular:
> unidirectional
> horizontal/torsional
> away from affected ear
> amplified by visual fixation suppression
- brain
> direction changing
> vertical
test of skew (cover test)
- vestibular: no skew deviation
- brain: skew deviation (ocular misalignment)
head shake nystagmus worsens in vestibular pathology not brain pathology
describe angioedema and its causes
causes
- idiopathic
- allergic: ACEi, aspirin, foods, transfusions
- non-allergic: C1 esterase inhibitor deficiency (acquired v hereditary)
pathophysiology
- allergic: type 1 response
- non-allergic: type 3 (autoimmune)
- C1-esterase inhibitor deficiency: unabated C1/C2 kinin mediator for angioedema
management
- oral antihistamines
- sometimes tranexamic acid
compare stridor and stertor
stridor
- high-pitched inspiratory or expiratory respiratory noise due to obstruction at the level of/ below larynx
- inspiratory: larynx
- expiratory noise: tracheobronchial
- biphasic: subglottic/glottic
stertor
- pharyngeal obstruction - snoring
describe Ludwig’s angina
infection spreading to sublingual or submandibular space
often secondary to dental infection
airway may be compromised, may require tracheostomy
list causes of sore throat
- glandular fever
- tonsillitis
- quinsy
- epiglottitis/supraglottitis
- deep neck space infection
describe tonsillitis
symptoms
- odynophagia
- dysphagia
- lethargy
- pyrexia
signs
- red, enlarged, inflamed tosils
- +/- tonsillar exudate
- anterior cervical lymphadenopathy
causes
- viral: most common
- bacterial: group A beta haemolytic strep (Strep pyogenes), strep pneumoniae
management
- penicillin V: phenoxymethylpenicillin
> not amoxicillin as could be glandular fever (rash for up to 6 months)
- analgesia: paracetamol and diclofenac
- does not need admission unless unable to eat/drink
describe glandular fever
aka infectious mononucleosis, caused by EBV infection
spread by saliva: kissing, sharing toothbrushes…
features
- fever, fatigue
- sore throat
- tonsillar exudate
- lymphadenopathy
- hepatosplenomegaly (avoid alcohol, contact sports, sharing saliva)
investigation - monospot test
pruritic maculopapular rash (non-allergic) with amoxicillin in 50% of cases; can last 6 months
describe quinsy
aka peritonsillar abscess
symptoms
- sore throat
- painful swallowing
- fever
- neck pain
- referred ear pain
- swollen tender lymph nodes
- trismus - decreased mouth opening
- deviation of uvula
- change in voice - hot potato voice
causes: group A strep (strep pyogenes), haemophilus influenzae, staph aureus
management
- drain abscess
- IV antibiotics +/- dexamethasone
- consider tonsillectomy if more than one episode
describe indications for tonsillectomy and management of post-tonsillectomy bleeds
indications for tonsillectomy
- 7 or more episodes in 1 years
- 5 per year for 2 years
- 3 per year for 3 years
other indications
- recurrent quinsy (2 episodes)
- enlarged tonsils causing difficulty breathing, swallowing or snoring
management of post-tonsillectomy bleed
- mild bleeds: hydrogen peroxide gargle, adrenalin soaked swab applied topically
- severe bleed: return to theatre
- bleeds within 24h: return to theatre
- secondary bleed (5-10 days): likely infection
> antibiotics + admission unless severe bleed
describe deep neck abscesses
types
- submental (Ludwig’s)
- parapharyngeal
> neck mass, unwell, febrile
> decreased rotational neck movements - retropharyngeal
> swinging pyrexia (picket fence)
> decreased neck movements
> may be relatively well
> may cause airway compromise
> abscess may rupture during intubation - prevertebral
describe mastoiditis
usually in children
symptoms
- ear pulling (children)
- otalgia
- fever
- headache
- otorrhoea
- hearing loss
- vertigo
signs: recent episode of AOM +
- proptosed auricle
- post-auricular swelling
- post-auricular erythema
- post-auricular tenderness
management
- 24h IV antibiotics if well
- CT head / temporal bones and drainage if unwell
- surgical intervention: tympanocentesis, myringotomy, cortical mastoidectomy
describe an intracerebral abscess
imaging: CT brain with contrast
presents as ring-enhancing lesion
requires neurosurgical referral
describe Pott’s puffy tumour
complication of frontal sinusitis
frontal swelling due to frontal bone osteomyelitis with associated subperiosteal abscess
usually preceding URTI
management
- IV antibiotics urgently for 4-6 weeks
- surgery: abscess drainage
describe the treatment of epistaxis
bleeding most likely to originate from Kiesselbach’s plexus, located in Little’s area
first aid
- head forward over bowl/sink
- pinch soft part of nose
- ice over bridge/back of neck/in mouth
- naseptin (unless peanut/soy allergy, in which case bactroban)
secondary care intervention
- headlight and thudichum’s nasal speculum
- suction clot
- spray local anaesthetic
- identify bleeding points
- cauterise with silver nitrate
- pledget +/- adrenaline if persistent ooze
if unable
- nasal packing
- BIPP
- Foley catheter + BIPP
surgery in traumatic epistaxis
- endoscopic sphenopalatine artery ligation and anterior ethmoid ligation
list causes of epistaxis
- trauma
- nasal septum deviation / spur / perforation
- iatrogenic
- inflammation
- foreign body
- environmental
- malignancy
- systemic disorders: Hereditary Haemorrhagic Telangiectasia (HHT)
describe a septal haematoma
causes
- nasal trauma
- post-operative complication
appearance - boggy cherry red swelling outpouching from nasal septum
needs to be seen by ENT same day
management
- incision and drainage
- antibiotics
complications
- septal perforation leading to saddle nose deformity
- septal abscess
- cavernous sinus thrombosis
- meningitis
- cerebral abscess
state the presentation and treatment of a nasal fracture
presentation
- bilateral/unilateral ecchymosis
- swelling over nasal bridge (within 2h)
- visible deformity of nasal bones
- epistaxis
anterior rhinoscopy
- epistaxis
- septal deviation
- septal haematoma
management
- assessment in nasal fracture clinic after 5-7 days when swelling settles
- conservative or manipulation under LA/GA
- septorhinoplasty if manipulation unsuccessful or severe deformity
describe facial nerve palsy
causes
- upper motor neuron
> unilateral: stroke, tumour
> bilateral: pseudobulbar palsy, MND
- lower motor neuron
> Bell’s palsy: idiopathic
» management: prednisolone within first 72h, lubricating eye drops, eye taping
> Ramsay Hunt Syndrome: caused by varicella zoster virus (VZV), accompanied by painful vesicular rash around ear, tongue and hard palate
> management: prednisolone, aciclovir
- other: infection, trauma, malignancy
treatment
- underlying cause
- start steroids if within 72h
- eye protection
describe Ramsay Hunt syndrome
caused by herpes zoster virus
features
- CN VII palsy
- vesicles: ear, hard palate, tongue
- hearing loss
- vertigo
- pain
management
- analgesia
- steroids
- aciclovir
describe an auricular haematoma
usually due to trauma
cartilage loses blood supply, leads to necrosis and infection
cauliflower ear deformity
management
- urgent drainage
describe tympanic membrane perforation
causes
- trauma (exclude base of skull fracture)
- barotrauma
- acoustic trauma
- infection
features
- hearing loss
- bleeding ear / discharge
management
- uncomplicated perforations usually heal within 6-8 weeks and do not require review
- antibiotics if caused by otitis media
- myringoplasty if TM does not heal by itself
describe acoustic neuroma
aka vestibular schwannoma
bilateral acoustic neuromas are associated with neurofibromatosis type II
presentation (40-60 years of age)
- unilateral sensorineural hearing loss
- unilateral tinnitus
- dizziness or imbalance
- sensation of aural fullness
- facial nerve palsy
investigations: audiometry, CT/MRI
management
- conservative: monitoring
- surgery
- radiotherapy to reduce growth
describe a cholesteatoma
aka active squamous otitis media
squamous epithelium in middle ear or mastoid
features
- unilateral conductive hearing loss
- foul discharge
- discharging ear that does not resolve with antibiotic treatment
- frequent infections
- pain
- vertigo
- facial nerve palsy
management - surgical removal
- mastoidectomy
- atticotomy
- atticoantrostomy
describe active mucosal chronic otitis media (COM)
perforation with inflammation of middle ear mucosa
symptoms
- pain initially
- discharging ear
- hearing loss
management
- medical
> aural toilet (microsuction)
> antibiotics/steroid drops/sprays
- surgical
> myringoplasty or tympanoplasty
list causes of otorrhoea
- otitis externa
- acute otitis media with perforation
- active chronic otitis media
> mucosal
> squamous - trauma: CSF / blood
list causes of otalgia
- otitis externa
- necrotising otitis externa
- acute otitis media
- furuncle in ear canal
- otitis media with effusion (OME)
- temporomandibular joint (TMJ)
- referred pain
describe otitis media with effusion (OME)
Very common in children
fluid or “glue” in middle ear
features: reduction in hearing in affected ear, otalgia only in early stages
otoscopy: dull tympanic membrane with air bubbles or visible fluid level
associated with air travel + URTI
management
- referral for audiometry
- decongestant nose drops to nasopharynx
- Valsalva manoeuvre / otovent
- ventilation tubes
- hearing aid