ENT Flashcards
Infection is a common cause of otitis externa, name 2 more.
Seborrhoeic dermatitis
Contact dermatitis
Ear pain is a common symptom of otitis externa, name 2 more.
Itching
Discharge
Hearing loss (potential)
What is seen on otoscopy in otitis externa?
Red
Swollen
Eczematous
= canal
What is the management of otitis externa?
Firstline:
Topical antibiotic or combined topical antibiotic (ciprofloxacin) + steroid
Removal of debris if present
Secondline: Referral to ENT
Oral antibiotics - flucloxacillin
Swab the ear canal
Empirical use of antifungal
What is the most common causative organism of malignant otitis externa?
Pseudomonas aeruginosa
How does otitis externa become malignant?
Infection commences in the soft tissues of the external auditory meatus, then progresses to invovle the soft tissues an dinto the bony ear canal -> temporal bone osteomyelitis.
What are the key features in the hx of otitis externa?
Diabetes or immunosuppression
Severe, unrelenting, deep-seated otalgia.
Temporal headaches
Purulent ottorheoa
Possible: dysphagia, hoarseness and/or facial nerve dysfunction.
What investigations are done for MOE?
CT
What are some of the complications of otitis externa?
Malignant otitis externa
Periauricular cellulitis
Perforation
Streptococcus pneumoniae is a common cause of acute otitis media, name 2 more common causes.
Haemophilus influenzae
Moraxella catarrhalis
Otalgia is a common symptom of otitis media, state 4 more.
Fever (in around 50%)
Hearing loss
Recent URTI sx
Ear discharge - if TM peforates.
A buldging tympanic membrane may be seen on examination of the ear canal of a patient with otitis media, state 2 more findings of OM on otoscopy.
Opacification or erythema (injected TM) of the TM
Peforation with purulent discharge
Which antibiotic is firstline for otitis media?
Amoxicillin for 10 days
Erythromycin or Clarithromycin if penicillin allergic.
Mastoiditis is a potential complication of otitis media, state 3 more complications.
Brain abscess
Meningitis
Facial nerve paralysis
Vertigo is a feature of vestibular neuronitis, state 3 more features.
Nausea and vomiting
Horizontal nystagmus
No hearing loss or tinnitus
What are the differentials for vestibular neuronitis?
Viral labyrinthitis
Posterior circulation stroke (HiNTs exam)
What is the management of vestibular neuronitis?
Short-term: prochlorperazine IM or buccal in severe, oral in mild.
Long-term: Vestibular rehabilitation exercises for chronic sx.
What is the average age of onset for BPPV?
55 years.
What are the key features of BPPV?
Vertigo triggered by head movements.
Associated nausea.
10-20 second episodes.
What are the results of a positive Dix-Hallpilke test?
Recreation of the sx.
Rotatory nystagmus