Otalgia

Question 1

What is Otalgia?

Answer 1

Earache

Question 2

How is Otalgia categorised?

Answer 2

=> Primary Otalgia:

• Pain originating from the external or middle ear
• More common in children

=> Secondary Otalgia:

• Referred pain
• More common in adults

Question 3

What are the innervations of the ear?

Answer 3

• V3 branch of Trigeminal Nerve
• C2 and C3 spinal nerves
• Branches of Facial Nerve
• Glossopharyngeal nerve
• Vagus nerve

=> Irritation of any of these nerves results in Otalgia

Question 4

What are the causes of Primary Otalgia?

Answer 4

=> Otitis Media

• Pain is felt deep
• Complain of poor sleep, fever and irritability

=> Otitis Externa

• Infection of external ear
• Most causative organism: Staph Aureus

=> Eustachian Tube Dysfunction:
- Viral infection may cause swelling of tube

=> Foreign body:
- Hearing loss is initial presentation

=> Viral Myringitis:
- Painful condition caused by viral infection of the tympanic membrane

=> Cholesteatoma

=> Cellulitis of Auricle:
- Due to trauma or piercing

=> Herpes Zoster Re-activation:
- If facial nerve becomes involved it is termed Ramsay Hunt Syndrome

=> Mastoiditis

Question 5

What is the management of Otalgia?

Answer 5

• Analgesia
• Treat the underlying cause
• If pain continues, consider referral to specialist