EYE/CREW Flashcards
Otitis externa treatment
- Treatment involves antibiotic otic drops (tobramycin/gentamicin or cipofloxacin +/- dexamethasone) and avoiding further moisture or ear injury
- In diabetic or immunocompromised patients, malignant otitis externa may develop, which is a necrotizing infection extending to the blood vessels, bone, and cartilage; this requires hospitalization and parenteral antibiotics (ciprofloxacin)
Peripheral causes of vertigo
Labyrinthitis, benign paroxysmal positional vertigo, endolymphatic hydrops (Meniere syndrome), vestibular neuritis, and head injury
Central causes of vertigo
Brainstem vascular disease, arteriovenous malformations, tumors, multiple sclerosis, and vertebrobasilar migraine
Vertigo treatment
- Therapy is based on the underlying etiology
- Vestibular suppressants (i.e., diazepam, meclizine) may help with acute symptoms
- BPPV may respond to physical therapy maneuvers
- Some cases may require interventional/surgical therapies
Labyrinthitis treatment
- Antibiotics are indicated with associated fever or signs of bacterial infection
- Vestibular suppressants are helpful during the initial acute symptoms (diazepam or meclizine)
Barotrauma treatment
- Patient measures, such as swallowing, yawning, and autoinflation (with descent), as well as the use of systemic or topical nasal decongestants (prior to arrival) can be helpful
- Persistent symptoms after landing can be treated with decongestants (phenylephrine nasal spray or pseudoephedrine) and repeated autoinflation. With severe pain/hearing loss, myringotomy may be considered
Laryngitits treatment
- Supportive treatment is typically sufficient. Vocal rest and avoidance of singing or shouting is recommended because it can cause vocal cord hemorrhage, polyp, or cyst formation
- If bacterial, erythromycin, cefuroxime, or amoxicillin-clavulanate can decrease hoarseness/cough
- Oral or IM corticosteroids may also hasten recovery for performers but requires vocal cord evaluation before starting therapy
Aphthous ulcers (canker sores, ulcerative stomatitis) treatment
- Treatment is nonspecific, but topical therapies, such as corticosteroids, can provide symptomatic relief
- A 1-week oral prednisone taper can also be helpful
- Cimetidine can be used as maintenance therapy in recurrent cases
Oral candidiasis treatment
- Treatment is with antifungals, which are available in several forms (i.e., ketoconazole or fluconazole orally, clotrimazole troches, nystatin liquid rinses)
Epiglottitis (supraglottitis) treatment
- Treatment involves IV antibiotics (i.e., ceftizoxime or cefuroxime) and IV corticosteroids (i.e., dexamethasone). As the patient improves, antibiotic therapy can be switched to oral forms to complete a 10-day course and steroids can be tapered
- If there is dyspnea or such a rapid course that airway compromise is likely to occur before the medication takes effect, intubation is indicated. Even without intubation, patients should be closely monitored (i.e., pulse oximetry, ICU)
Nasal polyps treatment
- A 3-month course of topical nasal corticosteroid is the initial treatment of choice. This is effective for small polyps and can reduce the need for surgical intervention. Oral steroids (6-day taper) can also help reduce size
- Surgical removal may be necessary if therapy is unsuccessful or if polyps are large
Chronic otitis media: Treatment
- Medical treatment includes removal of infected debris, avoidance of water exposure and topical antibiotic drops (cipro or ofloxacin)
- Definitive treatment typically will include surgery (tympanic membrane repair/reconstruction)
Latent TB infection treatment
INH for 9 months or RIF for 4 months or RIF and PZA for 2 months (only if in contact with TB-resistant persons)
Active TB treatment
INH/RIF/PZA/EMB for 2 months, followed by 4 months of additional multidrug treatment based on culture and sensitivity results
Isoniazid side effects
Hepatitis, peripheral neuropathy; coadminister vitamin B6 (pyridoxine) to reduce the risk
Rifampin side effects
Hepatitis, flu syndrome, orange body fluid (e.g., orange urine)
Ethambutol side effects
Optic neuritis (red-green vision loss)
Croup Treatment
- Mild croup does not usually require treatment. Patients should be well hydrated
- Corticosteroids, humidified air or oxygen, and nebulized epinephrine may also be recommended
- Hospitalization may be required for patients with severe symptoms
NSCLC treatment
- Surgery remains the treatment of choice
SCLC treatment
Combination chemotherapy is the treatment of choice and results in improved median survival, although patients rarely live for more than 5 years after the diagnosis is established
Bronchiectasis treatment
- A productive cough should be managed with the appropriate antibiotic, bronchodilators, and chest physiotherapy
- Antibiotics are prescribed for 10-14 days for acute symptoms; suppressive therapy may be helpful in severe disease or in patients with rapid recurrence. Amoxicillin, amoxicillin-clavulanate, bactrim, or ciprofloxacin are effective choices
- Bronchodilators are helpful for maintenance and for treating acute exacerbations
- Patients with disabling symptoms or progressive bronchiectasis can be considered for lung transplant; however, surgical interventions have little long-term benefit
COPD management
- Anticholinergic inhalers (ipratropium or tiotropium) are superior to beta-adrenergic agonists in achieving bronchodilation
- Short-acting bronchodilators should be prescribed for acute exacerbations of dyspnea
- These patients are at high risk for acute infections; therefore, oral antibiotics frequently are necessary
- Supplemental oxygen is the only therapy that may alter the course of COPD in patients with resting hypoxemia
- Graded aerobic physical exercise should be encouraged
- Steroids are effective but should be used with caution
- Patients should receive the pneumococcal vaccine and yearly influenza vaccine
Pleural effusion treatment
- Unless the cause has been clearly established, the presence of fluid is an indication for thoracocentesis. Removal of fluid via thoracocentesis allows fluid examination, radiographic visualization of the lung parenchyma, and relief of symptoms
- Transudate pleural effusions resolve when the underlying causes are treated
- Malignant effusions may require drainage and pleurodesis. The most commonly used irritants are doxycycline and and talc
- Empyema requires drainage and antibiotic therapy
Pneumothorax treatment
- Small pneumothoraces resolve spontaneously
- For severely symptomatic or large pneumothoraces, chest tube placement is performed
- Tension pneumothorax is a medical emergency. If it is suspected, a large-bore needle should be inserted through the chest wall to allow air to move out of the chest. Placement of a chest tube follows the decompression
- Patients should be followed with serial CXR every 24 hours until resolved