ENT/Opth Flashcards
what is a positive Rinne’s test and what does it imply?
when air conduction is louder than bone conduction.
either normal hearing or sensorineural hearing loss.
what is a negative Rinne’s test and what does it imply?
when bone conduction louder than air conduction - suggests conductive hearing loss.
(can get false +ve where the other ear is hearing the sound)
how do you interpret the findings of Weber’s test?
localises to contralateral ear in sensorineural hearing loss, but to the affected ear if conductive.
may localise to midline if bilateral sensorineural hearing loss!
what is otitis externa/how does it present?
severe pain, debris in ear canal ± swelling O/E
due to acute inflammation of skin of the meatus - diffuse infection (bacterial, viral or fungal) of skin of ear canal
what causes otitis externa?
excessive canal moisture
also - trauma (e.g. from fingernails), high humidity, absence of wax (from self-cleaning), narrow ear canal, hearing aids
what organisms commonly cause otitis externa?
pseudomonas most common
also - Staph aureus
explain the differences between mild, moderate and severe OE
mild - scaly skin, with some erythema. normal diameter of external auditory canal (EAC).
mod. - painful ear, narrowed EAC, smelly creamy discharge
severe - EAC occluded
how do you manage mild vs moderate vs severe OE?
mild - cleaning the EAC (e.g. gentle syringing, dry mopping, microsuction)
mod. - swab for micro, clean canal. topical abx ± steroid drops.
severe - insert thin ear wick with aluminium acetate, then after a few days meatus will open up enough for microsuction/cleaning
what should you be concerned about if a pt has OE resistant to treatment / persistent unilateral OE?
resistant to rx - could be SCC, do biopsy.
if persistent in diabetics/immunosuppressed/elderly - risk is of malignant/necrotizing OE
what is malignant/necrotizing OE? what causes it? management?
aggressive infection of external ear that can lead to temporal bone destruction and skull base osteomyelitis.
causes - 90% have diabetes. pseudomonus aeruginosa main cause (also Proteus, Klebsiella).
Rx - surgical debridement, systemic abx, specific immunoglobulins.
what is barotrauma, how does it present? management?
if Eustachian tube occluded, middle ear pressure can’t be equalised in diving/aircraft descent, causing damage.
Symps - severe pain, then secondary effusion (either transudate or haemotympanum).
Rx - supportive.
what is TMJ dysfunction? how does it present?
temperomandibular joint dysfunction.
symps - earache, facial pain, joint clicking/popping (on teeth grinding, join derangement, or stress)
signs - joint tenderness exacerbated by lateral movement of open jaw, or trigger points in pterygoid muscles.
can be a biopsychosocial thing and become a chronic pain syndrome!
how is TMJ dysfunction managed?
reassure/explain. simple analgesia.
specialist therapy - dental occlusion therapy, physio, CBT etc
name some causes of referred ear pain, classified by nerve affected
arises from diseases in areas around the nerves supplying the ear:
- V: auriculotemporal nerve (branch of trigeminal), can refer pain from dental disease, TMJ dysfunction
- VII: sensory brance of facial nerve refers pain in geniculate herpes (Ramsay Hunt)
- IX + X: tympanic branch of glossopharyngeal nerve + auricular branch of vagus can refer pain from posterior 1/3 tongue, pyriform fossa or larynx, or from the throat (e.g. tonsillitis, quinsy) - can cause otalgia post-tonsillectomy
- C2,3: great auricular nerve refers pain from soft tissue injury in neck + from cervical spondylosis/arthritis
briefly describe the physiology of hearing
1) sound waves are transmitted to the fluid filled cochlea via the external auditory canal, tympanic membrane and bony ossicles.
2) hair cells in basilar membrane of cochlea then detect vibrations and transduce them into nerve impulses
3) these impulses pass via the cochlear nerve (division of CNVIII) to the choclear nucleus in brainstem, then to the superior olivary nuclei
what is the function of the vestibular nerve?
carries information from the semicircular canals about balance
name the 3 bony ossicles of the ear
stapes
incus
malleus
briefly describe the anatomy of the middle ear
three bony ossicles are attached to tympanic membrane. the semicircular canals are filled with fluid, involved in balance sensation.
the tympanic cavity of the middle air is usually filled with air, communicating with mastoid air cells superiorly and the nasopharynx via the Eustachian tube
what is the function of the Eustachian tube?
it’s a pressure-equalizing valve for the middle ear, opens for a fraction of a second in response to swallowing or yawning
what is conductive hearing loss? what would Rinne’s/Weber’s show?
hearing loss due to problems with the outer or middle ear
Rinne negative
Weber - localises to affected side
what is sensorineural hearing loss? what would Rinne’s/Weber’s show?
hearing loss due to problems with the inner ear, cohclea or cochlear nerve
Rinne positive
Weber - localises to normal side
list some causes of conductive hearing loss
- congenital: atresia
- external auditory canal: wax, foreign body, otitis externa, chronic suppuration
- ear drum: perforation/trauma
- middle ear: otosclerosis, disorder of ossicles, otitis media
list some causes of sensorineural hearing loss
- end organ: advancing age, occupation acoustic trauma, Meniere’s disease, drugs (gentamycin, furosemide)
- CN VIII lesions: acoustic neuroma, cranial trauma, inflammatory lesions (e.g. TB meningitis, sarcoidosis, neurosyphilis, carcinomatous meningitis)
- brainstem lesions (rare): MS, infarction
describe the structure/function of the “vestibular apparatus” of the inner ear
two components - semicircular canals (rotational movements) and the otoliths (urticle and saccule - sense linear acceleration)
provide info to brainstem (via vestibular division of CN VIII) and cerebellum re static head position + turning of head
what is vertigo? list some causes
illusion of movement - i.e. everything is spinning/moving
causes = BPPV, vestibular neuronitis, Meniere’s disease, central causes (e.g. vascular, drug-induced, MS)
what is BPPV?
benign paroxysmal positional vertigo - causes 50% of peripheral vestibular dysfunction
calcium debris in one of the semicircular canals leads to recurrent episodes of vertigo (lasting secs-mins)
eps provoked by specific head movements e.g. turning in bed
no serious underlying cause, may resolve spontaneously
what is vestibular neuronitis? what causes it? treatment?
due to a viral infection affecting labyrinth
sudden onset of severe vertigo, nystagmus and vomiting (but no deafness)
lasts days-weeks
Rx = symptomatic with vestibular sedatives (e.g. prochlorperazine)
what is Meniere’s disease? cause/treatment?
build up of endolymphatic fluid in the inner ear
recurrent eps of vertigo lasting 30mins-few hrs
associated ear fullness, sensorineural hearing loss, tinnitus, vomiting
Rx = vestibular sedatives in acute phase (e.g. cinnarizine), low-salt diet, betahistine, caffeine avoidance
what is acute otitis media? how does it present?
inflammation of middle ear, usually due to viral infection
rapid onset severe pain, conductive hearing loss, mucous discharge (if ear drum perforated), possible fever/irritability/anorexia
often occurs after viral URTI
list some common organisms causes acute OM
often viral
pneumococcus, haemophilus, moraxella, streps/staphs
how do you manage acute OM?
pain relief
often will resolve within 24h w/o abx
if systemically unwell or no improvement after 24hrs (can give ‘delayed’ abx prescription) - amoxicillin 40mg/kg/day in 3 divided doses for 5 days
erythromycin if penicillin allergy
what is mastoiditis?
destruction of air cells in mastoid bones ± abscess formation, due to middle ear inflammation (e.g. can be complication of acute OM)
consider if fever, tenderness, swelling and redness behind ear
do a CT, admit for IV abx, myringotomy ± definitive mastoidectomy
what is chronic OM?
chronic infectious/inflammatory condition of middle ear - ear drum perforation with recurrent/chronic infections
divided into:
- benign/inactive COM: “dry” tympanic membrane perforation, no active infection
- chronic serous OM: continuous serous drainage
- chronic suppurative OM: persistent purulent drainage through perforated tympanic membrane
how do you manage chronic OM?
topical/systemic abx, cleaning, advice on water precautions
may need myringoplastic/mastoidectomy
potential complication = cholesteatoma
what is a cholesteatoma, how does it develop? treatment?
as a complication from chronic OM - prolonged low middle ear pressure leads to development of retraction pocket of pars tensa/flaccida - as this enlarges, squamous epithelium builds up and gets stuck - leads to cholesteatoma
has serious but rare complications - meningitis, cerebral abscess, hearing loss, mastoiditis, facial nerve dysfunction
peak age = 5-15yrs
Rx = mastoid surgery to remove the disease, leaving a safe dry ear (secondary benefit is this can preserve hearing!)
what is a myringoplasty? what about mastoidectomy?
myringoplasty = surgery to repair tympanic membrane - patch up a perforation using a graft mastoidectomy = often done with tympanoplasty (repair of tympanic membrane and ossicles) - used for mastoiditis or advance cholesteatoma
list some risk factors for otitis media
URTI bottle feeding passive smoking dummy/pacifier use presence of adenoids asthma malformations (e.g. cleft palate) GORD/high BMI (for adults)
what is otitis media with effusion (OME)?
aka Glue ear - presents in childhood with parents noticing hearing impairment.
basically the middle ear is filled with fluid due to some combination of eustachian tube dysfunction, URTIs, oversized adenoids etc
list some childhood RFs for OME
boys Downs' synd. cleft palate winter atopy passive smoking
what are the features of OME on history and examination?
hx - poor listening/speech, language delay, poor behaviour, poor school performance
O/E - retracted or bulging drum, may be dull/grey/yellow, may see bubbles or fluid levels etc
how is OME managed?
usually mild/transient, resolves spontatneously.
1) active observation for 3/12 - repeat hearing tests, advise on minimising background noise, give short, simple instructions at child’s level etc
2) topical/systemic methods - NOT recommended by NICE
3) autoinflation of eustachian tube with Otovent may help
4) surgery - GROMMETS - mainstay of Rx, if treatment is needed
they will usually fall out after 3-12/12 - recheck hearing, consider need for re-insertion
what is tinnitus?
a perception of sound, in absence of auditory stimulation
can be unilateral, bilateral, pulsatile, non-pulsatile etc
ringing/hissing/buzzing = inner ear or central cause
popping/clicking = external/middle ear or palate issue
how is tinnitus classified?
objective vs subjective
objective = audible to examiner - often pulsatile and due to a weird vascular problem by the ear etc
subjective = much more common - often associated with disorders causing sensorineural hearing loss.
list the ototoxic drugs
can cause bilateral tinnitus w/associated hearing loss:
cisplatin, aminoglycosides - can cause permanent loss
aspirin
NSAIDs
quinine
macrolides
loop diuretics
how do you manage tinnitus?
treat any underlying cause (often isn’t one - although investigate more if unilateral, for acoustic neuroma)
psychosocial approach.
hearing aids if there’s loss
CBT
what are acoustic neuromas?
usually benign subarachnoid tumours that cause problems by local pressure, then act as SOLs.
arise from superior vestibular nerve schawnn cell layer (aka vestibular schwannoma)
how can acoustic neuromas present? Ix? management?
progressive ipsilateral tinnitus ± sensorineural deafness (due to chochlear nerve compression). other weird neuro symps.
tests - always do an MRI for unilateral tinnitus/deafness.
Rx - might do surgery if young and fit. quite fiddly!
how can duration of vertigo episodes help distinguish the cause?
seconds - minutres = BPPV
30mins - 30 hrs = Meniere’s disease or migraine
30hrs - a week = acute vestibular failure
briefly describe the anatomy of the nose/nasal cavity
nasal cavity is continuous with the nose in front, pharynx below, and is divided by midline septum (bone + cartilage)
walls of the cavity = maxilla, nasal bone, roof of the mouth
paranasal sinuses connect to nasal cavity via ostia
blood supply = branches of internal + external carotid arteries, anastomose in ant. nasal septum (Little’s area)
name the 4 para nasal sinuses
frontal
ethmoidal
sphenoid
maxillary
what are the two main functions of the nose?
1) smell - via olfactory epithelium in roof of nose + CN I
2) respiration - moistening, warming and filter inspired air
what is the most common site of bleeding in epistaxis?
Little’s area - anastomosis of blood vessels in the anterior nasal septum
list some causes/RFs for epistaxis
local factors - trauma, nasal fracture, surgery, intranasal steroids, tumours of the nose/paranasal sinuses/nasopharynx
systemic factors - anticoagulants, bleeding disorders, hypertension, familial hamorrhagic telangiectasia
outline management of epistaxis
1) ABCDE, resuscitate as needed - fluids, O2 etc
2) ask pt to lean forward, pinch lower part of nose for 20 mins, can place ice pack on nose as well
3) cotton ball soaked in adrenaline for 2 mins, or lidocaine spray - to vasoconstrict
4) locate bleeding points (on ant. septum), apply silver nitrate cautery - NEVER cauterise both sides of septum!!
5) Rapid Rhino pack (anterior nasal pack) for 24h
6) if continues - try foley catheter balloon back - woks better for posterior bleeds
ENT steps for serious posterior epistaxis can involve: EUA ± diathermy of bleeding/repacking, arterial ligation
what causes sinusitis?
usually strep pneumoniae or haemophilus influenzae
could also be - Staph aureus, moraxella catarrhalis, fungi
often complicates allergic rhinitis or an URTI - mucosal oedema and blockage of ostium draining the sinus
describe the symptoms and management of sinusitis
frontal headache (“worse on bending forwards”), facial pain + tenderness, discoloured nasal discharge. symptoms tend to have a unilateral predominance. fever.
clinical Dx.
Rx - most can avoid abx - anaglesia, saline irrigation, intranasal decongestants (e.g. ephedrine)
only give abx if supect bacterial e.g. duration >2 weeks
what are the possible (rare) complications of sinusitis? when would you consider imaging in sinusitis?
local/cerebral abscess formation, osteomyelitis, intracranial involvement (eg. meningitis, encephalitis), mucoceles, “Pott’s puffy tumour”
consider imaging with CT or MRI if - suspected abscess formation, recurrent acute (>4 eps/yr) or chronic sinusitis (ep lasts >3/12)
give some different causes of acute sinusitis (i.e. not just post viral URTI)
1) direct spread - diving/swimming in infected water, dental root infection
2) odd anatomy - septal deviation, polyps etc
3) ITU causes - mechanical ventilation, recumbency, NG tubes
4) systemic - Kartagener’s, immunodeficiency etc
5) Biofilms forming on sinus mucosa
outline management of nasal fractures
excluded signif. head/c-spine injury
treat epistaxis
analgesia, ice
close any skin injury
refer to ENT clinic for in 5-7/7 to reassess once swelling resolved
manipulation under anaesthetic (MUA) - 10-14/7 after injury - just pop it back into place!
(when examining, check for septal haematoma - boggy swelling of septum causing near-total nasal obstruction - required incision & drainage)
list some causes of nasal septal perforation, and explain management
- trauma - foreign body, picking, laceration, septal haematoma
- inhalants - nasal steroid/decongestants, cocaine
- infection - TB, syphilis, HIV
- inflammation/malignancies - SCC, Churg-Strauss, granulomatosis w/ polyangitis
Rx - saline nasal irrigation, petroleum jelly to edge of perforation. possible need for surgical closure, but often this is unsuccessful/intolerable
list some differential diagnoses for hoarseness (dysphonia)
- investigate any hoarseness lasting >3/weeks, esp if smoker, as it’s the chief presentation of laryngeal Ca**
- laryngeal cancer: progressive + persistent gruff voice
- vocal cord palsy: weak + breathy, often due to cancer (larynx, thyroid, oesophaus, hypopharynx, bronchus)
- reflux laryngitis: associated with GORD
- Reinke’s oedema: chronic cord irritation from smoking ± chronic voice abuse, causes build up of fluid under the epithelium of the cord
- vocal cord nodules: caused by voice overuse - singing, shout etc
list some causes of stridor
inhaled foreign body
infections - epiglottitis, diphtheria, tonsilitis
tumour of trachea or larynx
trauma
what is the most common bacterial cause of sore throat? Rx?
Group A beta haemolytic streptococcus
Rx = phenoymethylpenicillin 500mg every 6h for 10/7
what causes an acute sore throat?
acute pharyngitis or tonsillitis - usually viral, usually resolves within 3 days, almost all within 1 week.
viral - rhinovirus, coronovirus, parainfluenza virus. also influenza A dn aB, adenovirus, HSV, EBV.
bacterial - Group A beta-haemolytic strep (decide whether to treat using Centor criteria).
how do you investigate/manage an acute sore throat?
throat swabs should NOT be done routinely.
use Centor criteria to decide whether to give abx.
symptomatic relief - painkillers, Difflam spray if severe. rest + fluids.
abx - penicillin V 10 day course or clarithromycin/erythromycin 5 day course if oenicillin allergic.
AVOID AMOXICILLIN - gives a rash if EBV!
list the Centor criteria
want a score of 3 or 4 to consider abx:
- presence of tonsillar exudate
- tender anterior cervical lymphadenopathy
- fever
- absence of cough/coryzal symps
give some possible complications of tonsillitis
- otitis media
- sinusitis
- peritonsillar abscess (quinsy)
- parapharyngeal abscess - rare, diffuse neck swelling, I&D under GA
what is a quinsy? management?
peritonsillar abscess
sore throat, dysphagia, peritonsillar bulge (unilateral predominance) - uvular deviation, trismus (unable to fully open mouth), muffled “hot potato” voice
needs urgent abx and aspiration!!
give the criteria for tonisllectomy
7+ well documented + clinically significant sore throats in preceding year OR 5+ in eps in each of last 2 years OR 3+ eps in each of the last 3 years
outline acute airway management of stridor in adults
- give O2
- nebulised adrenaline (1ml of 1:1000, with 1ml saline)
- note O2 sats, RR, HR, BP
- call ENT and anaesthetics
- take hx from relatives to establish cause of stridor
invasive management:
- ET intubation
- emergency needle cricothyroidotomy
- surgical cricothyroidotomy - often quicker and easier in an emergency!
explain what a laryngeal nerve palsy is, how it presents, management etc
recurrent laryngeal nerve supplies intrinsic muscles of larynx - in charge of movements of vocal cord. originates from vagus, has “tortuous” course so susceptible to damage.
symps - weak, ‘breathy’ voice + weak cough, repeated coughing, exertional dyspnoea
causes - cancer! (larynx, thyroid, oesophagus, hypopharynx, bronchus). iatrogenic (post surgery), CNS disease, TB, aortic aneurysm, idiopathic
list the malignant causes of dysphagia
oesophageal cancer
pharyngeal cancer
gastric cancer
extrinsic pressure e.g. from lung cancer or node enlargement
list some non-malignant causes of dysphagia
neurological - bulbar palsy, lateral medullary syndrome, myasthenia gravis, syringomyelia
other - benign strictures, pharyngeal puch, achalasia, systemic sclerosis, oesophagitis, iron deficient anaemia
list some symptoms that should prompt you to consider head and neck squamous cell carcinomas
neck pain/lump hoarse voice >6 weeks sore throat mouth bleeding mouth numbness sore tongue painless ulcers patches in the mouth earache/effusion lip/mouth/gum lumps speech change dysphagia
list some risk factors for head and neck SCC
smoking
high alcohol consumption
vit A&C deficiency
nitrosamines in salted fish
HPV
GORD
how do oral cavity/tongue SCCs present? management?
persistent, painful ulcers; white/red patches on tongue/gums/mucosa; otalgia; odonophagia; lymphadenopathy
Rx - surgery/radiotherapy
> 80% 5yr survival if caught early
uncommon in UK
how do oropharyngeal SCCs present? management?
often advanced at presentation. more common in men - old bloke, smoker with sore throat, sensation of a lump and referred otalgia
do MRI.
Rx - surgery and radiotherapy.
5yr survival c.50% if stage I at presentation.
how do laryngeal cancers present? management?
older bloke, smoker, progressive hoarseness then stridor and either dysphagia or odynophagia ± haemoptysis ± ear pain.
if younger - will be HPV+ve
Ix - laryngoscopy + biopsy, MRI staging.
Rx - radical radiotherapy for small tumours, laryngectomy for larger tumours.
5yr survival 66%.