GS Auroscopy

Question 1

What are the S/S of microtia/anotia?

Answer 1

S/S
 Malformation of the pinna – detected at birth
 Rare condition
 (Microtia – ‘small ear’;
anotia – complete absence of pinna and EAC)

Requires hearing support and maybe removal

Question 2

What are the S/S of perichondritis?
Causes?
Management?

Answer 2

S/S:
 Red, swollen tender ear
 Pus/Discharge
 Fever

Cause:
Ear surgery, trauma, ear infections, piercings, burns

Management:
 May require incision and drainage of pus/fluid
 Swabs should be taken for culture (microbiology)
 Treat with antibiotics

Take note:
 Inflammation/infection of the skin and tissue surrounding the cartilage of the pinna
 May cause permanent deformity (‘cauliflower ear’) – if cartilage becomes

involved (chondritis)

Question 3

Management of the pinna haematoma?
Result of..
If left untreated?

Answer 3

 Haematoma should be drained with an incision and compression dressing applied
 Review in a 4-7 days – as haematoma may re-collect

Result of: Haematoma of the pinna is often the result of direct trauma (most commonly after sport injury e.g. boxing or rugby)

If left untreated: If left untreated it may cause permanent deformity (‘cauliflower ear’) – because of deposition of fibrotic tissue

Question 4

Otitis Externa:
S/S?
Management?

Answer 4

S/S
-EAC swollen, v v v tender and filled with debris

Management:

• Steroid and antibiotic ear drops
• Severe debris can be removed by insertion fo wick and microsuction
• Ear swab for microscopy

Question 5

Cerumen impaction:
What is it?
S/S?
Management?

Answer 5

Wax impaction
S/S: Otalgia (ear ache), hearing loss

Management:

• Microsuction
• Syringing/irrigation

Question 6

Acute otisis media:
S/S?
Management?

Answer 6

S/S?
 Usually a preceding URTI
 Severe and progressive
otalgia – followed by discharge (and resolution of the otalgia)
 +/- perforation of ear drum

Management?
 Treat with analgesia and antibiotics

Question 7

Chronic/suppurative otitis media:
S/S?
Management?

Answer 7

S/S?
 Hearing loss
 Continuous recurrent
otorrhoea
 Perforation of the
tympanic membrane

Management?
 Antibiotic ear drops
 Regular ‘aural toilet’
 Grommet insertion
 Some cases may require
mastoid surgery

Question 8

Middle ear effusion (Glue ear)
S/S?
Management?

Answer 8

S/S?
 Hearing loss
 Recurrent ear infections
 Poor/delayed speech
development

Management?
 Observe – 50% of cases resolve within 3 months
 Grommet insertion

NOTE:  Very common in children – caused by a combination of infection and eustachian tube dysfunction

Question 9

Tympanic membrane perforation?
S/S??
Cause
Management?

Answer 9

S/S?
 Asymptomatic
 Hearing loss (variable)

Cause?

• Trauma
• Recurrent infection

Management?
 No specific treatment is required in most cases – most will heal spontaneously in a few weeks
 Persistent perforations (with hearing loss) may require surgical repair – tympanoplasty