Otitis Media Flashcards
What is otitis media?
inflammation in the middle ear
-may be caused by infection
can be acute or chronic
What is the most common pediatric disease for which attention is sought?
otitis media
-kids make up at least 80% of cases
-2/3 children have an episode by age 3
-75% experience at least one ear infection before school
-1/3 children have 3+ cases
When is the peak incidence of otitis media seen in kids? When is otitis media rare in kids?
peak is 6-36 months
rare after age of 8
What are the three functions of the eustachian tube?
equalizing pressure on both sides of the tympanic membrane
protecting the middle ear from nasopharyngeal secretions
draining middle ear secretions into nasopharynx
What does eustachian tube dysfunction lead to?
impaired middle ear ventilation
Describe the process of how otitis media occurs.
- viral URTI (causes vasodilation and edema of
nose+nasopharynx) - occlusion of Eustachian tube (causes edema of ET mucosa)
- impaired middle ear ventilation
- accumulation of fluid (effusion)
- normal flora from nasopharynx enter ET and middle ear
- effusion becomes colonized and infected
- symptoms
What are the non-modifiable risk factors for otitis media?
age<5 (shorter, wide ET that is more horizontal)
gender (slightly more common in males)
First Nation and Inuit
family history
anatomic differences (Downs syndrome, cleft palate)
URTI (recurrent or concurrent)
allergies
reduced immunity (from drugs or conditions)
What are the modifiable risk factors for otitis media?
daycare (close contact with sick kids)
exposure to tobacco smoke (inflammation)
lower socioeconomic status
True or false: there may be more drug resistant drug organisms within daycare groups
true
What are the preventable risk factors for otitis media?
lack/short period of breast-feeding (Ig’s boost immunity)
extended pacifier use
What are you some tips you can give a mom about bottle-feeding and pacifier use to try prevent otitis media?
avoid bottle feeding while baby is laying down (reflux in ear)
prolonged pacifier use can increase mucus production which may cause reflux of flora into ear
What is the definition of recurrent otitis media infections?
3 episodes within 6 months
OR
at least 4 episodes within 12 months
What can recurrent otitis media infections lead to?
alterations in middle ear mucosa
damage to tympanic membrane and ossicles
adhesions (may immobilize ossicles)
conductive hearing loss
What are the 4 types of otitis media?
acute otitis media (AOM)
otitis media with effusion (OME)
persistent otitis media
recurrent otitis media
What is the diagnosis of acute otitis media?
middle ear effusion
acute onset of symptoms
significant inflammation of middle ear (bulging TM)
True or false: you can diagnose AOM based off the presence of middle ear effusion
false
all three elements must be present
What are the symptoms of inflammation/infection in AOM?
pain (tugging at ear, crying, irritability, altered sleep)
may see fever
may see N/V/D
What does spontaneous rupture of the tympanic membrane result in?
pain relief and purulent discharge
What is a HCP looking for in the ear to diagnose AOM?
redness
loss of anatomical markers (tympanic membrane)
bulging eardrum
What are the intracranial and extracranial complications of AOM?
intracranial:
-meningitis
-subdural or brain abscess
extracranial:
-hearing loss
-TM perforation
-chronic OM
-mastoiditis
-facial paralysis
-tympanosclerosis
-labyrinthitis
True or false: complications from AOM are common, and only 20% of cases resolve spontaneously without treatment
false
complications are uncommon
80% resolve spontaneously