ENT - Level 2 Flashcards
Definition of otitis externa?
- Inflammation of external ear canal
o Localised = folliculitis that can progress to become boil in canal
o Diffuse = inflammation of skin and sub-dermis in canal and tympanic membrane - Acute (<3 weeks), chronic (>3 months)
Defintion of malignant otitis externa?
o Aggressive infection affecting immunocompromised or DM or elderly which spreads to bone surrounding ear canal
Epidemiology of otitis externa?
- Prevalence increases at end of summer
- Common >1% diagnosed per year
- Women > Men
Causative organisms of otitis externa?
- Bacterial o S.Aureus o Pseudomonas sp. - Fungal o Aspergillus o Candida Albicans
Other causes of otitis externa?
- Seborrhoeic Dermatitis
- Contact dermatitis (irritant or allergen)
- Trauma (scratching, aggressive, ear syringing, foreign objects, cotton buds)
- Swimming
- High humidity
- Narrow ear canal
- Hearing aids
Symptoms of otitis externa?
- Minimal discharge
- Itch
- Pain – made worse by moving pinna
- Hearing Loss
- Tender regional lymphadenitis
Signs of otitis externa?
- Otoscopy o Red canal with swelling, shedding of scaly skin o White or yellow pus in canal o Struggle to see tympanic membrane - Lymphadenopathy of pre-auricular nodes - Pyrexia
Symptoms of chronic otitis externa?
- Lack of earwax
- Dry hypertrophic skin, partial stenosis of canal
- Pain on manipulation of external ear canal
- Constant itch and discomfort
Symptoms of malignant otitis externa?
- Granulation tissue at bone-cartilage junction of ear canal
- Facial nerve palsy
- Temperature >39
- Severe pain and headache
- Vertigo
- Profound hearing loss
Diagnosis of otitis externa?
- Clinical Diagnosis
When to swab ear in otitis externa?
o Treatment fails, recurrent or chronic
o Infection spread or severe enough for oral antibiotics
Management of otitis externa - general measures?
Self-Care Advice • Avoid swimming, cotton buds, foreign objects down ear • Keep ears clean and dry Paracetamol and ibuprofen PRN Local heat with warm flannel
Management of otitis externa - medical therapy?
Acetic Acid 2%
• For mild cases
Topical antibiotic with/without topical corticosteroid
• Gentamicin, neomycin or Chloramphenicol with steroid (Otomize, Betnesol)
• 7-14 days
Oral antibiotics if cellulitis beyond ear canal to pinna, fever, systemic signs of infection, DM or immunocompromised:
• 7-day course of flucloxacillin (or clarithrymycin)
Management of otitis externa - when to ear swab?
Treatment failure Recurrent or chronic Topical treatment cannot be delivered Infection spread beyond EAC Need oral antibiotics
Management of otitis externa - when to refer?
Symptoms not improved despite treatment
Cellulitis extensive
Pain extreme
Micro-suction or ear wick insertion required
Requiring incision and drainage of furuncle
Management of otitis externa - when to refer urgently?
o Referral urgently if malignant otitis externa suspected:
Unremitting pain, otorrhoea, fever or malaise
Granulation tissue at bone-cartilage joint of ear canal
Facial nerve paralysed
Temperature >39
Management of chronic otitis externa - if fungal nfection suspected?
Topical clotrimazole 1% solution/acetic acid 2% spray/
Seek specialist advice if inadequate response
Management of chronic otitis externa - if irritant or allergic dermatitis?
Advise person to avoid contact with irritant or allergen
Give topical corticosteroid
Management of chronic otitis externa - if seborrheoic dermatitis?
Topical antifungal/corticosteroid combination
Management of chronic otitis externa - if no evident cause?
7 days topical corticosteroid with acetic acid spray
Management of chronic otitis externa - when to refer?
Does not respond to treatment
Contact sensitivity suspected
Ear canal occluded
Malignant otitis is suspected
Complications of otitis externa?
- Abscess
- Chronic otitis externa
- Fibrosis
- Myringitis
- Tympanic membrane perforation
Prognosis of otitis externa?
- Symptoms usually improve within 48-72 hours of initiation of treatment
- Resolves within 7-10 days
What is ear wax?
- Ear wax = normal physiological substance that protects ear canal
- Combination of sheets of desquamated keratin squames (dead, flattened cells on outer layer of skin), cerumen (wax-like substance produced by ceruminous glands), sebum and foreign substances
Function of ear wax?
o Aids removal of keratin
o Cleans, lubricates and protects lining of ear canal – trapping dirt and repelling water
o Antibacterial properties
Epidemiology of ear wax?
- Most common ENT procedure in primary care – ear wax removal
- Dry wax is dry, flaky and golden-yellow and common in Asian people
Risk factors of ear wax?
o Narrow or deformed ear canal o Hairs in ear canal o Osteomata o Dermatological disease in peri-auricular area o Elderly o Recurrent otitis externa o Cotton wool bud use/Hearing aids
Symptoms of ear wax?
- Mainly asymptomatic
- Symptoms include:
o Blocked ears
o Ear discomfort
o Feeling of fullness in ear
o Tinnitus
o Itchiness
o Vertigo
Signs of ear wax?
- Signs on otoscopy
o Wax in ear canal (may occlude whole canal)
Management of ear wax - when to remove?
o Totally occluding canal and symptoms present
o If tympanic membrane is obscured by needs to be viewed to establish diagnosis
o If hearing aid impression needing to be fit
Management of ear wax - general advice?
o Do not insert anything into ear as can damage structures
o Ear candles has no benefit in management
Management of ear wax - safety net?
o If develop earache, itching, discharge from ear, swelling of ear canal come back
Management of ear wax - how to remove ear wax?
o Ear drops (olive oil 3-4 times a day for 3-5 days) to soften wax
o Ear irrigation
• Electronic ear irrigator
• Angle so flow is along top of posterior wall
Management of ear wax - contraindications of removing ear wax?
- Hx of previous problem
- Current perforation or in last 12 months
- Grommets in place
- Hx of ear surgery
- Mucous discharge from ear
- Middle ear infection in previous 6 weeks
- Acute otitis externa
Management of ear wax - complications of removing ear wax?
• Failure, otitis externa, perforation, pain, vertigo
Management of ear wax - if irrigation unsuccessful?
o Use drops for further 3-5 days and return for repeat irrigation
o Instil water into ear – then irrigate after 15 minutes
o Refer to ENT specialist
Management of ear wax - when to refer?
o Before irrigation if – chronic perforation, history of ear surgery, foreign body
o If irrigation unsuccessful
o Severe pain, deafness or vertigo
o Infection present
Management of ear wax - recurrent ear wax?
o Ear drops regularly (sodium bicarbonate, sodium chloride, olive oil, almond oil)
o Irrigation or referral for manual extraction if needed
Complications of ear wax?
o Conductive hearing loss
o Discomfort
Categories of hearing loss?
o Conductive – occurs due to abnormalities of outer or middle ear which impairs conduction of sound waves from external ear (pinna, ear canal or tympanic membrane) through ossicles to cochlear
o Sensorineural – abnormalities in cochlear, auditory nerve or structures in neural pathway leading to auditory cortex
o Mixed
Severity of hearing loss?
o Mild – 25-39dB
o Moderate 40-69dB
o Severe – 70-94dB
o Profound - >95dB
Epidemiology of hearing loss?
- Prevalence increases with age
- Most common is age related hearing loss
Causes of conductive hearing loss?
Impacted earwax
Foreign Bodies
Tympanic membrane perforation
Infection (otitis media and externa)
Middle ear effusion
Cholesteatoma
Otosclerosis (abnormal bone growth affecting ossicles)
Neoplasms (SCC of external ear, vascular glomus tumour)
Exostoses (hard, bony growths in ear canal)
Causes of sensorineural hearing loss?
Age-related (presbycusis) – most common
Noise exposure
Sudden sensorineural hearing loss (within 72 hours)
Meniere’s disease
Ototoxic substances (gentamicin, bumetanide, furosemide, NSAIDs, aspirin, quinine, chloroquine, cisplatin, bleomycin, cigarettes, mercury, lead)
Labyrinthitis
Vestibular Schwannoma (Acoustic Neuroma)
MS, stroke
Malignancy (intracranial or nasopharyngeal)
Infections (CMV, toxoplasmosis, syphilis, meningitis, HIV, Lyme disease HZV)
Autoimmune (RA, SLE, sarcoidosis, Wegeners granulomatosis)
Hereditary (Alports syndrome)
Symptoms of prebycusis?
o Bilateral high-frequency hearing loss after 50 years old
o May be unaware and need TV higher or cannot hear people
Symptoms of noise-related hearing loss?
o Hx of exposure to persistent high levels of noise
o Associated with tinnitus
Symptoms of sensorineural hearing loss?
o Bilateral hearing loss within 72 hours
o May have tinnitus, sensation of fullness in ear and vertigo
Symptoms of labyrinthitis?
o Tinnitus and vertigo common
Symptoms of acoustic neuroma?
o Gradual onset, unilateral hearing loss associated with tinnitus and vertigo
Assessment of hearing loss?
o History o Examination o Otoscopy o Weber Test o Rinne’s Test o Cranial Nerve and Cerebellar tests
Weber test used in hearing loss? what is positive test?
512Hz tuning fork, strike one side on padded surface or ball of hand
Place vibrating tuning fork on person’s forehead for 4 seconds
Ask person where tone is heard – centrally, left or right
• If centrally – suggests symmetrical hearing loss
• In poorer ear – suggests asymmetrical conductive hearing loss
• In better ear – suggests asymmetrical sensorineural hearing loss
Rinne’s test used in hearing loss? What is positive test?
512Hz tuning fork, strike one side on padded surface or ball of hand
Hold tuning fork 2.5cm from entrance to ear canal for 2s then press footplate firmly over mastoid and hold for 2s
Ask person if tone is louder next to ear or behind ear
• If better/louder by air conduction (next to ear) – Rinne’s positive and suggests sensorineural hearing loss or normal hearing
• If better/louder by bone conduction (held on mastoid) – Rinne’s negative and suggests conductive hearing loss in that ear
Further investigations in hearing loss?
o Audiology assessment if underlying systemic condition
Management of hearing loss - when to refer immediately?
o Sudden onset (<72 hours) unilateral or bilateral hearing loss within 30 days and not explained by external or middle ear causes
o Unilateral hearing loss associated with focal neurology
o Hearing loss with head/neck injury
o Necrotising otitis externa or Ramsay Hunt Syndrome
Management of hearing loss - when to refer within 2 weeks?
o Sudden onset (<72 hours) unilateral or bilateral hearing loss over 30 days ago and not explained by external or middle ear causes
o Rapidly progressive hearing loss not explained by external or middle ear cause
o Suspected head and neck malignancy
Management of hearing loss - when to refer routinely?
o Unilateral or asymmetric gradual onset hearing loss
o Fluctuating hearing loss not with URTI
o Hearing loss associated with hyperacusis
o Hearing loss associated with persistent tinnitus which is:
Unilateral – acoustic neuroma, Meniere’s disease, otosclerosis
Pulsatile – intracranial vascular tumours, aneurysms, carotid atherosclerosis
Changed significantly
Causing distress
o Hearing loss with persistent or recurrent vertigo
o Hearing loss not age related
Management of hearing loss in primary care - initial management?
Exclude/treat ear wax, acute ear infection, middle ear effusion due to URTI
Audiological Assessment If sensorineural confirmed and no underlying causes requiring further investigation by ENT • Hearing aids • Assisted listening devices (ALDs) • Cochlear implants Follow up 6-12 weeks
Refer for diagnostic assessment
Management of hearing loss in primary care - general measures?
Reduce competing noises
Soft furnishings improve sound quality if hearing aid used
Ensure adequate lighting to help with communicating
Management of hearing loss in secondary care - investigations?
MRI to adults with hearing loss and localising symptoms or signs (facial nerve weakness) indicating vestibular schwannoma
Audiology assessment
• Bloods – FBC, ESR, CRP, U&E, LFT, TSH, autoimmune profile, clotting, glucose
• Audiometry and brainstem responses
• High-dose steroids
Management of hearing loss in secondary care - non-induced hearing loss?
- Reduced occupational risk
* Tinnitus retraining therapy
Management of hearing loss in secondary care - otosclerosis?
- Hearing aid
* Surgery – stapedectomy, stapedotomy
Management of hearing loss in audiological services - what hearing devices are available?
Hearing Aids
• If hearing loss affects ability to communicate and hear
• Offer 2 if both ears affected
Assisted Listening Devices
• Personal loops, personal communicators, TV amplifiers, telephones devices, smoke alarms, doorbell sensors
Implantable Devices
• Cochlear Implants
Follow up in audiological services?
6-12 weeks after hearing aids fitted
Definition of acoustic neuroma?
- Tumour of vestibulocochlear nerve (CN8) arising from Schwann cells of nerve sheath
- Typically benign and slow-growing
Risk factors of acoustic neuroma?
o Neurofibromatosis
o High-dose ionising radiation
Presentation of acoustic neuroma?
o Unilateral sensorineural hearing loss – considered acoustic neuroma until proven otherwise
Progressive onset
o Impaired facial sensation
o Balance problems
o Large tumours give cerebellar signs or raised ICP
Investigations of acoustic neuroma?
o Audiology assessment
o MRI scan – for all with unilateral hearing loss
Management of acoustic neuroma - observation?
Small neuromas and good preserved hearing
Annual scans to monitor growth – if detected then active management
Management of acoustic neuroma - surgery?
Microsurgery – removal of tumour
Stereotactic radiosurgery – single large dose of radiation using high-energy X rays or gamma rays
What are the most common causes of vertigo?
BPPV, Meniere’s and vestibular neuronitis
Definition of vertigo?
- Vertigo is false sensation of movement (spinning or rotating) of the person or their surroundings in absence any actual physical movement
Peripheral causes of vertigo?
BPPV Labryrinthitis Meniere’s Disease Perilymphatic fistula Ototoxicity Syphilis
Central causes of vertigo?
Migraine
Stroke
Tests to perform in vertigo?
- Romberg’s test
- Dix-Hallpike manoeuvre
- Head impulse test
- Unterberger’s test
What is Romberg’s test in vertigo?
o Stand up straight with feet together and shut their eyes
o If person cannot maintain balance when eyes closed, test if positive
o Problem with proprioception or vestibular function
What is Dix-Hallpipe manoeuvre in vertigo?
o Caution if neck/back problems, carotid sinus syncope
o Keep eyes open and look straight ahead
o Sit upright on couch and head turned 45o to one side
o From this position, lie person down rapidly supporting head and neck until head is extended 20-30 degrees over end of couch and maintain for 30 seconds
o Observe eyes closely for 30 seconds for nystagmus
o If Dix-Hallpipe positive with vertigo and torsional upbeating nystagmus - BBPV
What is Head impulse test in vertigo?
o Sit upright and fix gaze on examiner
o Rapidly turn head 10-20o to one side and watch person’s eyes
o Normal = eyes stay fixed
o Abnormal = eyes are dragged off target by head turn, corrective abnormal movement (saccade) – positive test
What is Unterberger’s test in vertigo?
o March on spot with eyes closed
o Person will rotate to side of affected labyrinth