ENT Flashcards
Normal TM Anatomy
Normal Ear anatomy
Labyrinth
bony & membranous part of inner ear consists of
- Cochlea = responsible for hearing converting wave impulses from middle ear to auditory nerve impulses
- Vestibular system = 3 semicircular canals originating in vestibular responsible for balance
Auditory Physical Exam Tests
- Normal
- Weber (no lateralization)
- Rinne (+ = AC > BC)
- Sensorineural loss (inner ear)
- Weber (lateraize to NORMAL ear)
- Rinne (Normal: AC > BC. Difficult hearing own voice & deciphering words)
- Conduction loss (middle/external ear)
- Weber (lateralize to AFFECTED ear)
- Rinne (- = BC >/= AC)
- sensoriNeural laterizes to Normal ear + Normal Rinne (think N for neural)
- Sensorineural hearing loss = Presbyacusis - age related (MC), chronic loud noise exposure, CNS lesions (acoustic neuroma), Labyrinthitis, Meniere’s syndrome
- Conductive hearing loss = defect in sound conduction via obstruction from foreign body or cecum impaction (MC); damage of ossicles (otosclerosis, cholesteatoma); Mastoiditis, otitis media
Romberg Tests
- eyes open, three sensory systems provide input to cerebellum to maintain truncal stability. = vision, proprioception, and vestibular sense.
- If there is a mild lesion in the vestibular or proprioception systems, the patient is usually able to compensate with the eyes open. When the patient closes their eyes, however, visual input is removed and instability can be brought out.
- If there is a more severe proprioceptive or vestibular lesion, or if there is a midline cerebellar lesion causing truncal instability, the patient will be unable to maintain this position even with their eyes open.
- Note that instability can also be seen with lesions in other parts of the nervous system such as the upper or lower motor neurons or the basal ganglia, so these should be tested for separately in other parts of the exam.
Caloric Tests
- Ice cold or warm water or air is irrigated into the external auditory canal, usually using a syringe. temperature difference b/w body and injected water creates a convective current in the endolymph of the nearby horizontal semicircular canal. Hot and cold water produce currents in opposite directions and therefore a horizontal nystagmus in opposite directions.In patients with an intact brainstem:
- water is warm (44 °C or above) endolymph in the ipsilateral horizontal canal rises => increased rate of firing in vestibular afferent nerve (mimics head turn to ipsilateral side) => Both eyes turn toward the contralateral ear c horizontal nystagmus to ipsilateral ear.
- water is cold, relative to body temperature (30 °C or below), the endolymph falls c/n semicircular canal => decreasing rate of vestibular afferent firing => eyes turn toward ipsilateral ear c horizontal nystagmus to contralateral ear
- Absent reactive eye movement suggests vestibular weakness of horizontal semicircular canal of stimulated side
- comatose patients c cerebral damage, the fast phase of nystagmus will be absent as this is controlled by the cerebrum.
- cold water irrigation => deviation of eyes toward ear being irrigated
- If both phases are absent, suggests the patient’s brainstem reflexes are also damaged and carries a very poor prognosis
- COWS: Cold Opposite, Warm Same.
- Cold water = FAST phase of nystagmus to the side Opposite from the cold water filled ear
- Warm water = FAST phase of nystagmus to the Same side as the warm water filled ear
In other words: Contralateral when cold is applied and ipsilateral when warm is applied
Dix-Hallpike positional test
Used to test vertigo pts
- patients lowered quickly to supine position, c neck extended by clinician
- Modified maneuver to targets posterior semicircular canal = patient moving from seated position to side-lying c/o head extending off the examination table, head rotated 45 degrees away from the side being tested, and the eyes are examined for nystagmus.
- For pts anxious about eliciting vertigo sxs, lack ROM.
- Results
- positive test = pt reports reproduction of vertigo and clinician observation nystagmus => dx BPPV
- negative test = benign positional vertigo less likely & central nervous system problem
Otitis Media
- Def
- Etiology
- Path
- RF
- HPI
- PE
- Management
-
Def = infection of middle ear (tympanic only) occurs in children due to reflux/decrease clearance from nasopharynx into middle ear
- Acute OM (+effusion for days)
- OM w/effusion (days to 3 mo)
- Chronic OM (>3 mo)
- Etiology = URI (Strep. Pneumoniae > Hemophilus influenzae (+ conjunctivitis)> Maroxella catarrhalis > Strep pyogenes (same as bronchitis & sinusitis), or viral (can’t distinguish)
- Path = URI => Eustachain tube edema => negative pressure => transudation of fluid & mucous in middle ear => 2ry colonization by bacteria & flora
- RF = young, Eustachian tube dysfunction, day care, pacifier/bottule use, parental smoking, not being breastfed
-
HPI = unilateral ear pain, relieved w/ pinna pulling
- Fever, Otalgia, ear tuggin, conductive hearing loss, stuffiness
- If TM perforation => rapid relief of pain + otorrhea (usually heals in 1-2 days)
-
Dx
- Bulging, erythematous TM c effusion & decreased TM mobility(dx) on Pneumatic otoscopy
- Loss of landmarks
- Bullae on TM => suspect mycoplasma
-
Tx
- Mild & > 2 yo, NSAIDs and wait
- Severe or fever abx = Amoxicillin x 10 days (adults), Cefixime (children)
- Recurrent
- Amoxicillin + Clavulanate (augmentin) x 10 days
- WU Fe deficeicny anemia & CT scan
- Penicillin allergy w/o anaphylaxis = 2nd gen Cephlosporin (eg. Cefpozil) x 3 days
- Penicillin allergy w/ anaphylaxis = Azithromycin (Z-Pack/Zmax) - also used to tx bronchitis
- bilateral effusion > 3 mos & bilateral hearing deficiency = Refer to ENT for surgical management
- Chronic (3 OM/6 mo OR 4 OM/yr) = tympanoplasty (ear tube insertions)
Otitis Media: Dx & Tx
- Mild & ____
- Severe or ____
- Recurrent
- _____ allergy w/o anaphylaxis
- _____ allergy w/ anaphylaxis
- Bilateral effusion > __
- Chronic ____
- Dx effusion = Pneumatic otoscopy +/- tympanometry = immobile TM dx
-
Tx
- Mild & > 2 yo, NSAIDs and wait
- Severe or fever= Amoxicillin x 10 days
- Recurrent = Amoxicillin + Clavulanate (augmentin) x 10 days
- Penicillin allergy w/o anaphylaxis = 2nd gen Cephlosporin (eg. Cefpozil) x 3 days
- Penicillin allergy w/ anaphylaxis = Azithromycin (Z-Pack/Zmax) - also used to tx bronchitis
- bilateral effusion > 3 mos & bilateral hearing deficiency = Refer to ENT for surgical management
- Chronic (3 OM/6 mo OR 4 OM/yr) = tympanoplasty (ear tube insertions)
Name & describe HPI/PE
-
Acute OM (+effusion for days)
- Prior URI, unilateral ear pain, relieved w/pinna pulling, fever, irritability, Erythematous Bulging Tympanic membrane, loss of light reflex (due to fluid)
Name & describe HPI/PE
OM w/effusion (days -3 mo)
- fluid behind TM w/o presence of infection, a result of chronic eustachian tube dysfunction, previous AOM, or barotrauma, Asymptomatic, decrease hearing, Aural fullness
- Dull Air bubbles
Name & describe HPI/PE
Chronic OM (effusion >3 mo or recurrent OM)
- frequent AOM w/otorrhea as a result of TM perforation or tube placement => Hearing loss
Otitis Externa
- Def
- Path
- HPI
- PE
- Dx
- Management
- Complications
- Def = infection of the outer ear (penna + ear canal)
- Path
- Swimmers ear (or shower) = Excess H20 or local trauma => change ear pH => bacterial overgrowth => MC Pseudomonas, Aspergillus (fungal)
- Digits = Staph or Strep
- HPI = 1-2 day ear pain, pruritis in ear canal, auricular d/c, pressure/fullness, hearing preserved
- PE = Unilateral ear pain, worse c pinna pulling (traction of tragus),
- Dx = Clx of Erythema/edema/debris/angry canal
- Management
- Drying agents = isopropol ROH, acetic acid
- Aminoglycoside abx combo (1st line) = Neomycin + polymyxin + hydrocortisone (contraindicated for TM perforation due to ototoxic)
- TM perforation
- Ciprofloxacin (protects against pseudo) + dexamethasone
- Ofloxacin
- Fungal = Amphotericin B
- Complication
- Malignant Otitis Externa = Osteomyelitis @ skull base 2ry Pseudomonas (MC in DM & immunocomp) = IV abx (ciprofloxacin)
Mastoiditis
- Def
- Path
- HPI/PE
- Dx
- Tx
- Def = inflammation of mastoid air cells of temporal bone (all pts c AOM have some degree of mastoiditis) b/c they are connected. Mc a cx of prolonged or inadequate AOM tx
- Path = URI, Tymphanoplasty
- PE = deep ear pain (worse at night), Mastoid tenderness, +/- cutaneous abscess (Swelling behind ear + ear ant. rotated)
- Cx = hearing loss, labyrinthitis, vertigo, CN VII paralysis
- Dx = Clx >> CT
- Management
- IV abx (Ampicillin, Cefuroxime) + myringotomy (I&D) => PO abx
- Refractory => mastoidectomy
TM rupture
- Etiology
- HPI
- PE/Dx
- Management
- Prognosis
- Etiology
- Trauma = physical abuse (red flag), Foreign body, Forceful irrigation
- Infection = AOM, COM
- Middle ear barotrauma (scuba injury)
- HPI = Painful pop, then relief c Otorrhea (drainage)
- PE
- size perforation as percent of membrane
- Traumatic perf lack discharge
- Weber lateralizes to side of perforation
- Management
- Keep ear dry, refer to audiologist
- Tx concurrent OM c abx drops
- Ciprofloxacin (eye drops) + dexamethasone
- Ofloxacin (ear drops)
- Prognosis
- heals spontaneously in 4-6 wks
- Lg or marginal perforation may req surgery
Ear Foreign Body
Insects must be immobilized prior to removal. Drown insects with mineral oil or viscous lidocaine before attempting removal, After irrigation, if the child is uncomfortable, consider treating with topical pain agents such as benzocaine-antipyrine
Tinnitus
- Definition
- Etiology
- Ringing in ear (older - persistent, younger - transient)
- Etiology
- 1ry ear condition
- Sensorineural Hearing Loss (Presbycusis, occupational noise exposure) - MC\
- Cecum impaction
- Meniere’s Disease
- Acoustic Neuroma (Vestibular Schwannoma)
- Ototoxic (meds)
- MSK Injury = head/neck injury, TMJ dysfunction
- Neurologic = Multiple Sclerosis, Vestibular Migraine
- Infectious = syphilis
- Metabolic = hypothyroidism, Vit B12 deficiency, DM
- 1ry ear condition
Vertigo
- Peripheral
- General HPI
- Etiologies x 4
- Specific HPI/PE + Management
- Central
- Antiemetics
N/V caused by sensory conflict mediated by neurotransmitters GABA, ACh, Histamine, Serotonin
- Antihistamines (1st line)
- MOA = blocks emetic response and most have anticholinergic properties
- Meclizine, cyclizine, dimenhydrinate, diphenhydramine
- MOA = blocks emetic response and most have anticholinergic properties
-
Dopa Blocker (phenothiazine) = metoclopramide, prochlorperazine IM/rectal; IV promethazine
- MOA = antag D2 receptors used to tx severe N/V
- Often c Benadryl to prevent dystonic rxns (such as parkinsonism sxs). Anticholinergic property of Benadryl prevents/tx dyskinesias
-
Anticholinergics = scopolamine. good for motion sickness & recurrent vertigo)
- S/E = dry mouth, blurred vision, urinary retention, constipation
- Benzodiazepines = Lorazepam, Diazepam for refractory pts. Potentiates GABA