External Ear Flashcards
What congenital diseases can occur in the external ear?
- Anotia/microtia
- Macrotia
- Meatal atresia/stenosis
- Bat ears
What are infective/inflammatory causes of external ear disease?
- Otitis externa
- Furuncle
- Perichondritis
- Keratosis obturans
What are traumatic causes of diseases of the external ear?
- Blunt - haematoma auris
- Sharp
- Chemical/thermal
- UV
- Foreign Bodies
What is first line treatment for treating problematic ear wax?
Wax softening agents
- Use olive oil
- Water
What would you do to manage problematic ear wax if wax softeners didn’t work?
- Syringe the ears
- Referral to ENT - microsuction
When would you avoid syringing someone ear to get rid of wax?
- Tympanic membrane perforation
- Grommet in situ
- Previous ear surgery
- Otitis externa
What is otitis externa?
Common, generalised inflammation of the kin of the external auditory meatus. It can occur as an acute episode or as a chronic problem
What are causes of otitis externa?
- Skin conditions - eczema, psoriasis
- Skin infections - impetigo
- Neurodermatitis
- Trauma - cotton bud
- Local infection
- Middle ear discharge
What are symptoms of otitis externa?
- Itch
- Pain
What are signs of otitis externa?
- Tender pinna/tragus
- Tender nodes - behind ear
- Swollen EAM - obscures tympanic membrane
- Debris in EAM
- Meatal stenosis
- Watery discharge
What is the chief bacterial organism implicated in Otitis externa?
Pseudomonas aeruginosa
What are potential sequelae of otitis externa?
- Hearing loss
- Canal stenosis
What investigations might you do in someone with otitis externa?
Ear swab
How would you manage otitis externa?
- Aural toilet
- Local medication - Abx/steroids
- Systemic Abx - for gross cellulitis
What is an aural toilet?
All possible debris is removed from the EAM, either with suctioning and the aid of a microscope, or with dry mopping
What is the following?
Haematoma auris - cauliflower ear caused by tracking of blood between the perichondrium and the cartilage follwoing blunt force trauma
