Otology Flashcards
what is the results of rinne’s test in normal hearing?
air conduction>bone conduction (test ‘positive’)
what is the results of rinne’s test in conductive hearing loss?
bone conduction>air conduction (test ‘negative’)
what is the results of rinne’s test in sensorineural hearing loss?
air conduction>bone conduction (test ‘positive’)
but sound stops much earlier than normal hearing
what is conductive hearing loss?
something inhibiting the passage of sound waves from the ear canal, through the middle ear apparatus and into the cochlea
what is Sensorineural hearing loss?
root cause lies in the inner ear or sensory organ (cochlea and associated structures) or the vestibulocochlear nerve
describe the Weber’s test?
vibrating tuning fork is placed in the middle of the forehead, and compare both ears
what is the results of Weber’s test in normal hearing?
sound heard equally in both sides
what is the results of Weber’s test in sensorineural hearing loss?
hearing loss right ear. left>right (test ‘lateralises to left’)
ie normal ear hears the tuning fork louder
what is the results of Weber’s test in conductive hearing loss?
hearing loss right ear. right>left (test ‘lateralises to right’)
ie defective ear hears the tuning fork louder
what is an audiogram?
a graph that shows the audible threshold for standardized frequencies as measured by an audiometer
what should a normal audiogram show?
Ideally the audiogram would show a straight line above the standardised curve that represents ‘normal’ hearing, but in practice everyone is slightly different, and small variations are considered normal
what is a tympanometry?
examination used to test the condition of the middle ear and mobility of the tympanic membrane by creating variations of air pressure in the ear canal.
what does type A mean in tympanometry?
normal, Tympanogram shows maximum peak compliance (shaped like a teepee)
what does type B mean in tympanometry?
tympanograms are a flat line, fluid or infection behind the ear drum, tympanic membrane immobile
what does type C mean in tympanometry?
shaped like a teepee, but shifted negatively on the graph
indicates negative pressure in the middle ear space, often consistent with sinus or allergy congestion
what is Auricular haematoma?
external portion of the ear is hit and develops a blood clot or other collection of fluid under the perichondrium
what is Otitis externa?
common ear infection that causes inflammation (redness and swelling) of the external ear canal
what is Malignant otitis externa?
when otitis externa spreads to the outer ear and surrounding tissue, including the bones of the jaw and face
what is Otitis media with effusion?
thick or sticky fluid behind the eardrum
how does a grommet treat glue ear?
helps drain away fluid in the middle ear and maintain air pressure.
what is Acute otitis media?
when middle ear becomes inflamed and infected.
what is Chronic suppurative otitis media?
perforated tympanic membrane with persistent drainage from the middle ear
can occur with or without cholesteatoma
what is cholesteatoma
destructive and expanding growth consisting of keratinizing squamous epithelium in the middle ear- not a tumour
what is Tympanosclerosis?
Calcified deposits in membrane- rarely has symptoms but can cause hearing loss
what is Otosclerosis?
hereditary disorder causing progressive deafness due to overgrowth of bone in the inner ear.
what is Presbyacusis?
Hearing loss with old age
what are ototoxic medications?
Medicines that damage the ear and cause hearing loss ie asprin
what are common infections that cause hearing loss?
measles mumps rubella influenza acute suppurative otitis media meningitis
what is acoustic neuroma?
benign brain tumour that grows on nerve used for hearing and balance
what is tinnitus?
“ringing in the ears”
any perception of sound
no directly treatable pathology in vast majority
what is Benign Positional Vertigo?
otoconia(calcium carbonate crystals) in semicircular canals
what is the treatment of Benign Positional Vertigo?
Epley manoeuvre
what are the symptoms of Benign Positional Vertigo?
vertigo precipitated by specific changes in head position
duration: seconds
frequency: several times per day
what is Vestibular neuritis / labyrinthitis?
reactivation of latent HSV infection of vestibular ganglion
what are the symptoms of Vestibular neuritis / labyrinthitis?
spontaneous vertigo
duration: days
frequency: few episodes
what is the treatment of Vestibular neuritis / labyrinthitis?
acute-vestibular sedatives
chronic-vestibular rehabilitation
what is Ménière’s disease?
endolymphatic hydrops
what are the symptoms of Ménière’s disease?
spontaneous vertigo
duration: hours
frequency: every few days / weeks / months
+ fluctuating, progressive unilateral hearing loss
what is the treatment of Ménière’s disease?
betahistine
bendrofluazide
intratympanic dexamethasone
intratympanic gentamicin
what are the symptoms of a migraine?
spontaneous vertigo duration: variable frequency: variable ± headache, sensory sensitivity, auras ± past history of migraine
what is the treatment of a migraine?
avoid migraine triggers
prophylactic medication
what is facial palsy?
refers to weakness of the facial muscles, mainly resulting from temporary or permanent damage to the facial nerve.
what causes facial palsy?
cholesteatoma
parotid gland tumour
