ENT Flashcards
What is an acoustic neuroma?
Benign tumours arising from the Schwann cells which form the myelin sheath surrounding the vestibulocochlear nerve (CN8)
Where is the most common site for acoustic neuromas?
Cerebellopontine angle
What condition is bilateral acoustic neuromas associated with?
Neurofibramatosis 2
List the triad of sx present with an acoustic neuroma?
Progressive unilateral HL
Unilateral tinnitus
Vertigo
+
Absent corneal reflex (CN5)
Facial palsy (CN7)
What is the GS Ix for acoustic neuromas?
MRI of cerebellopontine angle
What is the mx for acoustic neuromas?
Most cases are managed conservatively with observation/interval MRI monitoring (due to slow growth)
Surgical excision
What is acute mastoiditis?
A complication of acute otitis media in which there is an extension of infection into the mastoid air cells of temporal bone
What bare the sx and sign of acute mastoiditis?
Sx:
*Ear pain
*Otorrhoea
*Worsening HL
Signs:
Postauricular erythema-tenderness to palpation, boggy/fluctuant
Pinna can be displaced forwards and downwards
Systemic upset
Otoscopy- erythematous, bulging tympanic membrane
What is the mx of acute mastoiditis?
Emergency admission
IV ABX
What is the imaging of choice for acute mastoiditis?
CT head
List the complications of acute mastoiditis?
Facial nerve palsy
HL
Meningitis
What type of sensitivity reaction is allergic rhinitis?
IgE mediated thus Type 1 hypersensitivity reaction
List the sx of allergic rhinitis?
Nasal pruritus
sneezing
Rhinorrhoea
Nasal congestion
Eye redness
Eye puffiness
Watery eye discharge
What is the mx of allergic rhinitis?
Avoiding triggers
Nasal irrigation with saline
Intra-nasal or oral anti-histamines
Regular intranasal steroids if initial measures are ineffective
Oral steroids for severe cases affecting quality of life
What is Bell’s palsy?
An acute, unilateral lower motor neurone facial nerve palsy resulting in facial weakness/paralysis.
What is the role of the facial nerve?
Motor-
innervate the muscles of facial expression
Innervates Stapedius muscle
Sensory-
Taste sensation to anterior 2/3 of tongue
Some sensory input from external ear
Parasympathetic-
Tear, saliva, mucous gland secretions
List the features of bells’s palsy?
- lower motor neuron facial nerve palsy → forehead affected
- Post auricular pain
- Altered taste
- Dry eyes
- Hyperacusis
What is the 1st line mx for bell’s palsy?
Prednisolone 50-60mg OD for 10 days
Eye care
When should a referral to ENT be made in regard to bell’s palsy?
Paralysis still ongoing/not improved after 3 weeks
What is Ramsay Hunt syndrome?
caused by the reactivation of the varicella zoster virus in the geniculate ganglion of the seventh cranial nerve.
List the sx of Ramsay Hunt Syndrome?
Facial droop- acute LMN CN7 palsy
Ear pain
Painful, erythematous vesicular rash- within ear canal and mucus membrane of oropharynx
SNHL
Tinnitus
vertigo
What is the mx of Ramsay bunt syndrome?
Antivirals (aciclovir, valaciclovir, famciclovir) AND steroids (prednisolone 60 mg OD 5/7)
What is BPPV?
condition characterised by sudden, episodic attacks of vertigo induced by changes in head position
What is the pathophysiology behind BPPV?
Movement of debris/crystals within the semicircular canals of the inner ear.
List the sx of BPPV?
Vertigo is triggered by head movements/changes in position - classically when the person rolls over in bed or bends over.
Episodes of vertigo are usually short, lasting < 1-2 minutes
Hearing and tinnitus are NOT features of BPPV
What is the Ix of choice to diagnose Bell’s palsy?
Dix-Hallpike manoeuvre
What is the mx for BPPV?
Epley manoeuvre
Accumulated cerumen in ear canal can cause what type of HL?
Conductive HL
What is a cholesteatoma?
An abnormal collection of keratinocytes, and squamous epithelium in the middle ear
List the sx of a cholesteatoma?
Recurrent foul-smelling, purulent discharge (which doesn’t respond to treatment with ABx)
Hearing loss
Tinnitus
Dizziness, loss of balance if left untreated
What will be seen on otoscope in a pt with cholesteatoma?
Discharge within canal, crust in upper TM, perforation.
What is the mx of cholesteatoma?
Refer all cases of suspected cholesteatoma to ENT - require CT imaging and audiology assessment
Management - surgical removal
List the clincial features of Chondrodermatitis Nodularis Helicis?
Painful, firm nodule on the helix (in men) or antihelix (in women), often measuring 4–6 mm.
lesion is typically painful, aggravated by pressure
oval-shaped with a central crust and surrounding erythema.
What is Chondrodermatitis Nodularis Helicis (CNH)?
common inflammatory condition affecting the cartilage and skin of the helix or antihelix of the ear, sometimes referred to as Winkler’s disease.
What is the pathophysiology behind Chondrodermatitis Nodularis Helicis (CNH)?
Chronic pressure - e.g. sleeping on one side, trauma, underlying connective tissue disease.
Poor blood supply to the thin cartilage of the ear leads to ischaemia, inflammation, and eventual nodule formation.
What are the common causes of epiglotitis?
HiB
Most commonly streptococcus (S. Pneumonia or pyogenes)
List the sx of epiglotitis?
rapid onset
high temperature, generally unwell
stridor
drooling of saliva
‘tripod’ position: the patient finds it easier to breathe if they are leaning forward and extending their neck in a seated position