ENT II Flashcards
How does otitis media occur?
Infection occurs post pharyngitis via the Eustachian tube
What pathogens causes otitis media?
Strep. pneumonia or H. Influenzae, also coinfection by viruses. Rarely caused by fungi or Pneumocyctis in HIV+ PTS
What are the clinical characteristics of otitis media?
Hyperaemc, opaque and bulging tympanic membrane with limited mobility, may have purulent otorhoea (discharge)
What happens in severe cases of otitis media?
Severe cases are associated with destruction of the ossicles
What is tympanosclerosis?
Dystrophic calcification of the tympanic membrane or middle ear associated with recurrent cases of otitis media
Explain the pathophysiology of otitis media
Viral URTI or allergy → results in Congestion of the respiratory mucosa of the nose, nasopharynx, and Eustachian tube →
Congestion of the mucosa in the Eustachian tube obstructs the isthmus.
Obstruction of the isthmus will cause negative pressure followed by accumulation of secretions secreted by the mucosa of the middle ear.
These secretions have no egress and accumulate in the middle ear space.
Viruses and bacteria that colonize the URT can reach the middle ear via aspiration, reflux or insufflation.
Microbial growth in the middle ear then causes suppuration.
Describe the clinical picture of otitis media
-Tubal occlusion: This produces early signs of otitis media. Discomfort, autophony (hearing your own sounds), retracted eardrum (opposite of bulging
-Mild deafness
-Tinnitus (ONLY IN CHILDREN)
-Suppurative infection of the middle ear: fever, severe earache, deafness, congestion and bulging eardrum (pus behind it)
Complications of otitis media (5)
Mastoditis
Labyrinthitis
meningitis
Abscess
What is chronic suppurative otitis media? (CSOM)
a perforated tympanic membrane and chronic drainage from the middle ear for 2-6 weeks. Chronic suppuration can occur with or without cholesteatoma
What is chronic serous otitis media?
Middle ear effusion without perforation that is reported persistent for more than 1-3 months
Gross description of otitis media?
Not a common specimen, but may have small fragments of soft/rubbery granulation tissue.
Microscopic/histologic description of otitis media
- Acute and Chronic inflammatory cells
- Haphazard glandular metaplasia with cilia, fibrosis, hemorrhage, foci of calcification (tympanosclerosis), cholesterol granulomas and reactive bone formation.
Explain what cholesterol granulomas are.
Foreign body granulomas in response to cholesterol crystals from rapture of red blood cells and breakdown of lipid bilayer in cell membrane, prominent cholesterol clefts
Cholesterol granulomas are associated with what?
associated with interference to drainage or ventilation of middle ear space
Cholesterol granulomas are not associated with____________
Cholesteatomas
What is the differential diagnosis of otitis media?
Middle ear adenoma: regular, not haphazard glands, no cilia
What is a cholesteatoma?
Benign, non-neoplastic destructive lesion in the middle ear or mastoid
what do cholesteatomas involve
May involve the medial external canal with potential destruction of the surrounding structures
What structures can be invaded by the cholesteatoma?
Bone, ossicular chain, erosion into the external ear canal, and cranial cavity
Cholesteatomas are usually bilateral T/F
F. They are usually unilateral
Describe cholesteatomas histologically
Accumulation of non-keratinizing squamous epithelium and keratinous debris, with stromal fibrosis and associated inflammatory reaction
-Leads to destruction of adjacent structures e.g bone
What are the complications of untreated cholesteatomas? (3)
infected
lead to conductive hearing loss
intracranial mass : complications