Otalgia

Question 1

Infection/ inflammation otalgia of the pinna & ear canal differentials

Answer 1

●Folliculitis
●Cellulitis
●Perichondritis
●Infected sebaceous cyst
●Candidiasis
●Herpes zoster, Herpes simplex

Question 2

What is the name for tympanic membrane inflammation

Answer 2

Myringitis

Question 3

What two conditions are associated with myringitis

Answer 3

Ramsay Hunt Syndrome, Myringitis bullosa

Question 4

Infection/ inflammation otalgia of the middle ear differentials

Answer 4

●Cholesteatoma
●Otitis media – viral or bacterial
●Middle ear effusion – sterile or infective

Question 5

What neoplasm is most common in the ear & will cause otalgia

Answer 5

SCC of ear canal

Question 6

Traumatic otalgia of the ear differentials

Answer 6

• Direct blow
• “Cleaning” Local reaction to irrigation (ear syringing)
• Foreign body
• Cerumen (wax)
• Planned trauma – post surgical (iatrogenic)
• Barotrauma – Air travel, Scuba diving

Question 7

What four cranial nerves can be associated with otalgia

Answer 7

Trigeminal nerve (V) (referred pain)
Facial nerve (VII)
Glossopharyngeal (IX)
Vagus nerve (X)

Question 20

What two spinal nerves are associated with otalgia

Answer 20

C2 & C3

Question 21

How would you approach someone presenting with otalgia

Answer 21

1) Discharging &/ hearing loss
Yes => localised cause
No => Referred cause

2) Ask about the six’s T’s
Teeth, tonsils, tongue, throat, TMJ, Trigeminal nerve
(dental problems/ sore throat/ jaw pain/ facial pain?)

3) Ask about social history

Question 22

What are the 6 T’s to ask about for refered otalgia pain

Answer 22

Teeth, tonsils, tongue, throat, TMJ, Trigeminal nerve