ENT Flashcards
What are the two commonest causes of hearing loss in adults?
Wax and Presbyacusis
Name causes of conductive hearing loss
Blocked ear canal (wax, pus, debris, foreign body)
Ear drum perforations (from trauma or AOM)
Middle ear effusions (e.g. glue ear)
Otosclerosis
Name causes of sensorineural hearing loss
Presbyacusis Noise exposure Perilymph fistula Ototoxicity Acoustic neuroma Inflammatory diseases e.g. measles, mumps, meningitis
What does ‘Rinne’s test -ve’ indicate?
A conductive hearing loss in the tested ear (bone conduction better than air conduction)
In which ear will sound localise to in Weber’s test if there is conductive hearing loss?
Sound will localise to the affected ear
In which ear will sound localise to in Weber’s test if there is sensorineural hearing loss?
Sound will localise to the unaffected ear
Above which decibel line is considered normal in an audiogram?
Above 20dB line
What is the commonest cause of hearing loss in children?
Otitis media with effusion/ Glue Ear
What are some risk factors for glue ear?
Male sex, downs syndrome, cleft palate, atopy, children of smokers, primary ciliary dyskinesia
What signs would you see in OME?
Retracted ear drum
Bubbles or a fluid level
What does an audiogram show in OME?
Conductive hearing loss
What does a tympanogram look like in OME?
Flat tympanogram - ‘Type B’
How long should you initially observe OME for?
12 weeks - most cases resolve themself in this time
What surgery is done for OME?
Myringotomy + fluid aspiration + grommet insertion
+/- adenoidectomy
How long will grommets be in for?
Usually fall out themselves in 3-12 months due to growth of the tympanic membrane
1 in 3 children will need reinsertion of grommets
What condition is characterised by inflammation of the outer ear canal and causes symptoms such as redness, swelling, itch and increased wax?
Otitis Externa
How is otitis externa treated?
Aural toilet
If mild –> acetic acid 2%
If moderate –> otomize (acetic acid, neomycine and dexamethasone)
What causes acute otitis media?
Usually an URTI involving the middle ear via extension of infection via the eustachian tube
What are the main organisms causing acute otitis media?
Haemophilus Influenzae
Pneumococcus
Moraxella
Strep Pyogenes
Do all cases of acute otitis media need antibiotics?
No - 80% resolve within 4 days by themselves
When would you consider antibiotics for acute otitis media?
If otorrhoea is present
What antibiotic is used for acute otitis media?
Amoxicillin 500mg TDS 5 days
If allergic - Clarithromycin 500mg BD 5 days
What condition commonly presents as severe facial pain worse on bending, nasal discharge/congestion and fever?
Acute sinusitis
What organisms cause acute sinusitis?
Haemophilus Influenzae
Strep Pneumoniae
Strep Pyogenes
When should antibiotics be given for sinusitis?
For severe/deteriorating cases which have been ongoing for more than 7-10 days
What antibiotics are given for acute sinusitis?
Penicillin V 500mg QDS/1g BD for 7 days
If allergic - doxycycline
What type of organism causes the majority of sore throats?
Viruses