Otitis, Hearing, and Equilibrium Flashcards
Cerumen Impactation
usually self-induced (q-tip or digital trauma)
UNIlateral hearing loss and/or pain
Cerumen Impactation Tx
pt - detergent ear drops +irrigation (Hydrogen peroxide)
clinical - mechanical removal, suction, or irrigation (warm water NOT cold and ONLY if TM intact)
Foreign Bodies
MC kids
may or may not have FB sensation
+/- otorrhea
Foreign Bodies - to remove
loop or hook, alligator forceps (NOT blindly)
irrigation of inorg. objects
DO NOT IRRIGATE BEANS, SEEDS OR INSECTS (may swell)
insects subdued w/ lidocaine
send to ENT if unsuccessful or ED
Otitis externa
infxn of external ear canal
MC hx of water exposure or mechanical trauma
Otitis externa - causative agents
Bacteria = G- nods (Pseudo, Proteus)
Fungi = Aspergillus
Otitis externa - Clin Pres
ear pain
ear tenderness
otorrhea (foul-smelling)
Otitis externa - PE
Moving auricle (or pinna) PAIN
Erythema and edema of ear canal skin
Purulent exudate (wet or dry)
TM ? erythematous or not visualized
Otitis externa - TX
Protect ear from additional moisture, gently remove purulent debris
ABX drops + CS
(fluoroquinolone otic drops - ofloxacin 1st, ciprodex (cipro+dexamethasone) for mod-severe; IV severe
AG’s ototoxic
FUNGAL infxn
(acetic acid otic drops)
(clotrimazole otic drops)
Tolnaftate is TM integrity ?
Itraconazole if systemic
ANALGESICS
5+ drops 3-4 times a day
Otitis externa - Prevention
Drying agents for swimmers
50/50 solution vinegar and rubbing alcohol, frequ water exposure
avoid ear plugs, headphones
hair dryer, washcloth around edge of external ear and clean thoroughly daily
Necrotizing (malignant) Otitis Externa
advanced cases affects …
GRANULATIONS in ear canal
Persistent foul aural discharge
Advacned cases - CN palsies (CN 6,7,9,10,11,12)
Pain over mastoid
confirm w CT or MRI
Necrotizing (malignant) Otitis Externa - Tx
Hospitalization
prlonged ANTIPSEUDOMONAL IV abx (fluoroquinolone)
debridement of canal or drainage
Necrotizing (malignant) Otitis Externa - Complications
cranial neuropathy
sinus thrombosis
Intracranial infxns
High mortality (immunocomp)
External Ear Pruritis causes
Seb. derm
Eczema
Psoriasis
Self-induced
External Ear - Neoplasia Causes
External ear (SCC, BCC, Melanoma)
External ear canal (SCC, Bx/further eval
External Ear Pruritus tx
Low-mid topical steriods
Oral antihistamines
Eustachian Tube Dysfunc
air trapped w/i middle ear becomes absorbed and NEG pressure results
MC viral URI or allergy
Eustachian tube Dysfunction - Clin Pres
Fullness in ear
Popping or crackling sound when swallowing or yawning
Discomfort w/ barometric pressure changes
Recurrent or chronic otitis media
Eustachian tube Dysfunction - PE
Retracted TM
Decreased mobility on pneumatic otoscopy
Eustachian tube Dysfunction - Dx
clinical
Eustachian tube Dysfunction - Tx
For post-acute Viral = transient; DECONGESTANTS (oral or nasal)
autoinflation
Allergy-mediated = oral antihist; Intranasal STEROID prep; desensitize; 2-6 wks
Eustachian tube Dysfunction - AVOID
air travel
rapid alt change
underwater diving
during active phase
Serous Otitis Media
Otitis Media w/ Effusion (OME)
Middle ear infxn w/o inflammation
Prolonged ETD = neg middle ear press = fluid
MC kids
Serous Otitis Media - Clin Pres
Fullness in ear
Clear fluid behind TM
Dull, retracted TM
Conduc hearing loss
Serous Otitis Media - TX
NO use abx ; watchful waiting
audiology exam and ENT if persistent
Barotrauma
Diff. equalizing press. placed on middle ear
Forceful nose blowing, air travel, underwater diving
MC DESCENDING
Barotrauma - Preventative
autoinflation (before descending)
Oral decongestants hrs in advance
Nasal decongestant 1 hr before descent
Barotrauma - if persistent on the ground
More decongestants
Myringotomy provides immed relief
Tympanostomy tubes if freq flyer
Barotrauma : Diving
First 15 ft of descent
can lead to TM rupture or hemotympanum (middle ear squeeze)
Sensory hearing loss and vertigo
can be assoc w/ decompression sickness
Acute Otitis Media
bacterial or viral infxn usually after URI
presence of fluid in middle ear w/ acute onset of s/s of middle ear inflammation
Acute otitis media Bacterial pathogens
Streptococcus pneuomoniae
Haemophilus influenza
Moraxella catarrhalis
Acute otitis media - Risk factors
ETD (including obstruction of ET by mass - adenoids)
Craniofacial abnormalities (cleft palate)
Recurrent URI
Bottle feeding or supine baby feeds (reflux into ear)
Second hand smoke
Acute otitis media - Clin Pres
Otalgia, rapid onset
Ear discharge
Infants = irritability, disturbed sleep, feeding problems, ear pulling