ENT Emergencies Flashcards
Define a hematoma auricle.
Collection of blood within the cartilaginous auricle.
Define a hematoma auricle laceration.
Damage to the perichondrium (connective tissue that envelopes cartilage).
Define chondritis.
Infection of the cartilage of the ear.
State bacteria that could cause the hematoma infection.
1) S. aureus 2) Pseudomonas aeruginosa
Define otitis externa.
Inflammation of the ear canal.
State bacteria that could cause otitis externa.
1) Pseudomonas 2) Staphylococcus aureus.
State a treatment of otitis externa.
1) Antibiotic (ciproflacin) - steroid (dexamethasone) drops 2) Use wicks to drain tight canals
State 2 symptoms of otitis externa.
Swelling. Redness. Heat. Discharge of pus.
What is the treatment for foreign bodies in the ear canal?
1) Lidocaine (anaesthetic to block pain)
What is a tympanic membrane perforation?
Hole in thin tissue separating ear canal from the eardrum. (Treate with antbiotics)
State the cause of a tympanic membrane perforation.
Middle ear pressure secondary to fluid or barotrauma (ear damage).
Define otitis media (middle ear).
Inflammation and build up of fluid behind the ear drum.
State a symptom of tympanic membrane perforation.
Vertigo (spinning sensation). Ear pain. Hearing loss. Tinnitus (ringing in ear).
State a cause of otitis media (middle ear).
1) Commonly in children 3-6 years old 2) May follow an upper respiratory tract infection (e.g. Strep pneumoniae, H infuenzae)
State 2 symptoms of otitis media.
Earache. Hearing loss. Fever. Deafness. Irritability. Lethargy.
State a complication of otitis media.
1) Drum perforation 2) Secondary mastoiditis
State a treatment of otitis media.
1) Analgesia 2) Antibiotics 3) Consider AB if no improvement within 72 hrs or earlier if worsening or perforation
Define peripheral vertigo (vestibulopathy).
It’s a problem with the inner ear which controls balance, resulting in a mild-moderate spinning sensation.
State the 4 types of vertigo.
1) Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) 2) Labyrinthitis 3) Vestibular neuronitis 4) Meniere’s disease
Define Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV).
Small pieces of debris break off in the inner ear, to stimulate small hairs.
State how Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) is diagnosed.
Hallpike manoeuvre results in Fatiguable nystagmus.
State how you clear the debris in Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV).
Epley manoeuvre.
Define labyrinthitis.
It’s a viral infection of the inner ear, resulting in damage to vestibular-end organs responsible for hearing.
Define vestibular neuronitis.
Infection that has spread to the vestibular nerve (controls balance).
State a symptom of labyrinthitis.
Severe vertigo. Nausea. Vomiting. No deafness/tinnitus.
Define vestibular neuronitis.
Disorder characterised by a sudden onset - infection spread to the vestibular nerve (controls balance).
State 2 symptoms of vestibular neuronitis.
Unsteadiness. Earache. Nausea. Vomiting.
Define meniere’s disease.
Increased pressure in the endolymphatic system of the inner ear causes recurrent attacks of vertigo.
State 2 symptoms of meniere’s disease.
Nausea. Vomiting. Hearing loss. Fullness in ears.
State a treatment of inner ears.
Antihistamine. Prochlorperazine (anti-psychotic medicine). Fluids. Rest.