Otology Flashcards
in broad terms what part of the ear is for balance and which for hearing?
balance = semi circular canals hearing = cochlea
6 symptoms in the history of otology
hearing loss tinnitus vertigo otorrhoea facial palsy otalgia
4 examinations of the ears
otoscope
whispered hearing test
tuning fork test
microscope
Rinne’s test
A. air>bone is a positive test
B. bonebone but both quieter is a positive test, sensironeural hearing loss
Weber’s test
A. left=right and is central
B. right sensironeural loss - left>right
C. right conductive hearing loss - right>left
2 investigations of the ear
pure tone audiogram
tympanogram to see how the ear drum is moving
4 external ear disorders
otitis externa
auricular haematoma
foreign body
malignant otitis externa
How is otitis externa treated?
ear drops, steroids, antibiotics
suction out debris with microscope
What is otitis media with effusion also known as?
glue ear
What causes otitis media with effusion?
dysfunctioning Eustachian tube eg tumour
What is a grommet and what is it used to treat?
plastic tube sits in the ear drum to bypass the Eustachian tube –> glue ear
What is cholsteatoma and what are the 2/3 main complications?
skin accumulation in the middle ear
erode into mastoid, erode into facial nerve, brain abscess
How is cholesteatoma treated?
mastoidectomy
tympanosclerosis
calcium deposits in the tympanic membrane
otosclerosis
extra bone forms around stapes leading to conductive hearing loss
presbyacusis
age related high frequency sensironeural hearing loss
How can excess noise cause hearing loss?
damage hair cells in the cochlea
give an example of an ototoxic medication
gentamicin
What is bells palsy and how is it treated?
acute, idiopathic palsy
prednisolone or acyclovir
How is tinnitus treated?
sound enrichment and stress management as no treatable underlying pathology
4 differential diagnoses of vertigo
Meniere’s, migraine, bppv, labyrinthitis
How do you determine what the cause of vertigo is?
features of episodes
What is otoconia?
calcium carbonate crystals in semicircular canals
What precipitates bppv?
changes in head position
features of bppv episodes
lasts a few seconds, several times a day
diagnosis and treatment of bppv?
dix-hallpike test
epley manoeuvre
What causes labyrinthitis?
reactivation of latent HSV of vestibular ganglion
vertigo with associated hearing loss which lasts a few days
treatment of labyrinthitis
acute : vestibular sedatives
chronic: rehabilitation and exercises
Meniere’s disease
endolymphatic raised pressure
What symptoms are associated with Meniere’s
hearing loss/tinnitus
treatment of Meniere’s
betahistine
steroids, diuretics
Migraine treatment
prophylaxis, avoid triggers
infratemporal facial nerve palsy cause
Cholesteatoma
extratemporal facial nerve palsy cause
Parotid gland tumour
