Otitis media Flashcards
What is acute otitis media?
Infection of the middle ear resulting from nasopharyngeal organisms migrating through the eustachian tube
Describe how the anatomy of children’s eustachian tube makes acute otitis media more likely
Immature
short, straight and wide
Only becomes oblique as the child grows
List some common bacteria which cause acute otitis media
S.pneumoniae (most common)
H.influenza
M.catarrhalis
S.pyogenes
List some common viruses which cause acute otitis media
Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV)
Rhinovirus
List some risk factors for acute otitis media
Age (peak 6-15months) Gender (boys) Parental smoking Bottle feeding Craniofacial abnormalities
What is recurrent acute otitis media commonly associated with?
Use of pacifiers
Those fed supine
First AOM episode when <6mo
Describe the typical presenting complaint of acute otitis media in children
Pain Malaise Fever Coryzal symptoms Tugging or cradling the ear Off food Irritable Vomiting Extreme pain which suddenly resolves followed by discharge from the ear is a perforation TM
What may be seen on otoscopy in acute otitis media?
Erythematous and bulging tympanic membrane
Tear in the TM if perforated
Purulent discharge in the auditory canal if perforated
How is acute otitis media diagnosed?
Most can be diagnosed clinically
Bloods - FBC and CRP - confirm infection, blood cultures if suspecting sepsis
Swabs of discharge for MC&S
Describe how acute otitis media is managed
Majority spontaneously resolve after 1-3days
Simple analgesics
Watch and wait with delayed prescription antibiotics (if still unwell at 4 days)
If worrying features then IV antibiotics
When should oral antibiotics be considered for acute otitis media?
Systemically unwell but not requiring admission
Known RF for complications - congenital heart disease or immunosuppression
Unwell for >4days with no improvement
Discharge from the ear
Children <2yo with bilateral infections
When should inpatient admission for acute otitis media be considered?
All children <3months with temp >38
All children 3-6 months with temp >39
Evidence of AOM complication or sepsis
Cochlear implant - need to be seen by specialist
List the complications of acute otitis media
Mastoiditis Meningitis Facial nerve paresis Intracranial abscess Sigmoid sinus thrombosis Chronic otitis media
When examining a child with acute otitis media what else should be examined?
7th cranial nerve - as it runs through the middle ear
Cervical lymphadenopathy
Mastoid
Describe mastoiditis
Common Intratemporal complication of AOM
Inflammation and infection spreading to the bone of the mastoid air cells