ENT Flashcards
Q: What is acute otitis media, and who is most affected?
A: Acute otitis media is common in young children, with around half of children having three or more episodes by age 3.
Q: What typically precedes acute otitis media, and what is the main cause of infection?
A: Viral upper respiratory tract infections (URTIs) typically precede otitis media, but most infections are secondary to bacteria, especially Streptococcus pneumoniae, Haemophilus influenzae, and Moraxella catarrhalis.
Q: How do viral URTIs contribute to acute otitis media?
A: Viral URTIs disturb the normal nasopharyngeal microbiome, allowing bacteria to infect the middle ear via the Eustachian tube.
Q: What are the common clinical features of acute otitis media?
A: Common features include otalgia, ear tugging or rubbing, fever (in about 50% of cases), hearing loss, recent viral URTI symptoms, and ear discharge if the tympanic membrane perforates.
Q: What are the possible otoscopy findings in acute otitis media?
A: Findings include a bulging tympanic membrane (loss of light reflex), opacification or erythema of the tympanic membrane, perforation with purulent otorrhoea, and decreased mobility if using a pneumatic otoscope.
Q: What criteria are commonly used to diagnose acute otitis media?
A: Diagnosis is based on acute onset of symptoms, otalgia or ear tugging, middle ear effusion, bulging or otorrhoea of the tympanic membrane, decreased mobility on pneumatic otoscopy, and inflammation of the tympanic membrane.
Q: How is acute otitis media managed?
A: Acute otitis media is generally self-limiting, but analgesia should be given for otalgia. Parents should seek medical help if symptoms worsen or do not improve after 3 days. Antibiotics may be required in certain cases.
Q: When should antibiotics be prescribed for acute otitis media?
A: Antibiotics should be prescribed if symptoms last more than 4 days, the patient is systemically unwell but not requiring admission, or in cases of immunocompromise, high risk, bilateral otitis media in children under 2, or otitis media with perforation or discharge.
Q: What is the first-line antibiotic for acute otitis media?
A: A 5-7 day course of amoxicillin is the first-line antibiotic. If allergic to penicillin, erythromycin or clarithromycin should be used.
Q: What are common sequelae of acute otitis media?
A: Common sequelae include perforation of the tympanic membrane (otorrhoea), chronic suppurative otitis media (CSOM), hearing loss, and labyrinthitis.
Q: What are the potential complications of acute otitis media?
A: Complications can include mastoiditis, meningitis, brain abscess, and facial nerve paralysis.
Q: What is acute sinusitis, and what are the common infectious agents?
A: Acute sinusitis is an inflammation of the mucous membranes of the paranasal sinuses, typically caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae, Haemophilus influenzae, and rhinoviruses.
Q: What are the predisposing factors for acute sinusitis?
A: Predisposing factors include nasal obstruction (e.g., septal deviation or nasal polyps), recent local infection (e.g., rhinitis or dental extraction), swimming/diving, and smoking.
Q: What are the common clinical features of acute sinusitis?
A: Features include facial pain (typically frontal pressure pain worsened by bending forward), thick and purulent nasal discharge, and nasal obstruction.
Q: How is acute sinusitis generally managed?
A: Management includes analgesia, intranasal decongestants or saline (with limited evidence), intranasal corticosteroids (if symptoms persist for more than 10 days), and antibiotics in severe cases.
Q: What is the first-line antibiotic for acute sinusitis according to the BNF?
A: The first-line antibiotic is phenoxymethylpenicillin, with co-amoxiclav used for patients who are systemically unwell, have more serious symptoms, or are at high risk of complications.
Q: What is “double-sickening” in the context of acute sinusitis?
A: “Double-sickening” refers to a situation where an initial viral sinusitis worsens due to a secondary bacterial infection.
Q: What is allergic rhinitis, and what are the common allergens involved?
A: Allergic rhinitis is an inflammatory disorder of the nose caused by sensitization to allergens such as house dust mites and pollens from grass, trees, and weeds.
Q: How is allergic rhinitis classified, and what are the types?
A: Allergic rhinitis can be classified as seasonal (e.g., hay fever due to pollen), perennial (symptoms year-round), or occupational (due to exposure to workplace allergens).
Q: What are the common clinical features of allergic rhinitis?
A: Features include sneezing, bilateral nasal obstruction, clear nasal discharge, post-nasal drip, and nasal pruritus.
Q: How is allergic rhinitis managed in mild-to-moderate intermittent or mild persistent cases?
A: Management includes allergen avoidance and the use of oral or intranasal antihistamines.
Q: What treatment is recommended for moderate-to-severe persistent allergic rhinitis or when initial treatment is ineffective?
A: Intranasal corticosteroids are recommended, and occasionally a short course of oral corticosteroids may be needed for significant life events.
Q: What is the role of nasal decongestants in the management of allergic rhinitis?
A: Short courses of topical nasal decongestants (e.g., oxymetazoline) may be used, but prolonged use should be avoided due to the risk of tachyphylaxis and rebound hypertrophy (rhinitis medicamentosa).
Q: What is an audiogram, and when is it typically used?
A: An audiogram is a test used to assess hearing difficulties, and it is usually the first-line investigation when a patient complains of hearing issues.