Surgery - Ear, nose and throat Flashcards
What is a normal result in pure tone audiometry?
All results above 20dB line
What is Rinne’s test? Describe the results
tuning fork placed over mastoid process until sound no longer heard, followed by repositioning just over external acoustic meatus
+ve: AC > BC bilaterally = normal or SNHL
-ve: BC > AC = conductive deafness
What is Weber’s test? Describe the results
Tuning form placed in middle of forehead, equidistant from ears
patient asked which side is loudest
Normal: equal
Unilateral SNHL: localises to unaffected ear
Unilateral conductive HL: sound localises to affected ear
What is the difference between SNHL, conductive HL and mixed HL?
SNHL = both air + bone conduction are impaired (AC better than BC)
Conductive: only air conduction impaired
Mixed: air + bone conduction both impaired, but BC better than AC
How can middle ear function be evaluated?
Tympanometry - measures stiffness of ear drum
What is automated auditory brainstem response audiometry?
Auditory stimulus with measurement of elicited brain response by surface electrode
What are the components of the child hearing exams?
All babies get evoked otoacoustic emission testing
If not normal –>
Automated auditory brainstem response audiometry
What are the signs and symptoms of TMJ dysfunction?
Otalgia (referred pain from auriculotemporal nerve) Facial pain TMJ joint clicking/popping Bruxism (teeth grinding) Stress
What condition does ‘swimmer’s ear’ refer to?
Acute diffuse otitits externa
How should necrotising otitis externa be managed?
Urgent ENT referral
CT head
IV ciprofloxacin
What is acute otitis media?
Inflammation in the middle ear a/w effusion accompanied by rapid onset S/S of ear infection
What is the most common pathogen implicated in acute otitis media? Name 2 others
S. pneumoniae (as secondary to URTI)
Haemophilus influenzae
Moraxella catarrhalis
List 3 viral causes of acute otitis media
Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV)
Rhinovirus
Adenovirus
Give 4 risk factors specific to infants for acute otitis media
Nursery
Formula feeding
Use of a dummy
Bottle feeding supine
List 3 general risk factors for acute otitis media
Smoking/ passive smoking
FH
Craniofacial abnormalities e.g. cleft palate
Give 5 signs/ symptoms of acute otitis media
Otalgia +/- tugging/ rubbing
Fever
Conductive HL
Recent viral URTI Sx
Discharge if TM perforates
List 4 features found on otoscopy in acute otitis media
Bulging TM: loss of light reflex
Air-fluid level behind TM indicates effusion
Opacification/ erythema of TM
Perforation with purulent otorrhoea
How should acute otitis media without perforation be managed?
Analgesia
Delayed/ no script Abx unless:
- Sx >4 days + not improving
- systemically unwell but not requiring admission
- Immunocompromised
- <2y with BL OM
- Perforation / discharge in canal
If antibiotics are indicated in acute otitis media, what is firstline?
Amoxicillin
If Pen allergy: erythromycin or clarithromycin
Describe 3 common sequalae to acute otitis media
TM perforation + otorrhoea
Hearing loss
Labyrinthitis
What may unresolved acute otitis media with perforation progress to?
Chronic suppurative otitis media: perforation of TM with otorrhoea for >6w
List 4 complications of acute otitis media
Mastoiditis
Meningitis
Brain abscess
Facial nerve paralysis
How should acute otitis media with perforation be managed?
Oral amoxicillin 5 days
Review in 6w
What condition is known as ‘glue ear’?
Otitis media with effusion
List 6 risk factors for glue ear
Male
Siblings with glue ear
Winter/ Spring
Bottle feeding
Day care attendance
Parental smoking
What is the peak age of glue ear?
2y
Most common cause of CHL + elective surgery in childhood
How does glue ear usually present? What secondary problems may also be seen?
Hearing loss
Speech + language delay
Behavioural problems
Balance problems
How should glue ear be managed?
If no comorbidities: active observation for 6-12w, If no improvement: ENT referral
If co-existent cleft palate/ Down’s: ENT referral
What surgical options are available for glue ear?
Grommet insertion: allows air to pass into middle ear + do job normally done by Eustachian tube
Adenoidectomy
How long do grommets last?
10-12 months
What are the signs and symptoms of cholesteatoma?
Foul smelling, non-resolving discharge from ear
Hearing loss
Vertigo
Facial nerve palsy
Cerebellopontine angle syndrome
What is cholesteatoma?
Non-cancerous growth of squamous epithelium trapped in skull base causing local destruction
Most common in 10-20y
RF: Cleft palate
What do cholesteatomas often result from?
Chronic ear infections
Eustachian tube dysfunction
What is seen on otoscopy in cholesteatoma?
‘Attic crust’ seen in uppermost part of ear drum
How should cholesteatoma be managed?
Refer for surgery
Recall 4 drugs that can cause tinnitus
Aspirin
Aminoglycosides
Loop diuretics
Ethanol
What is the most concerning cause of unilateral tinnitus?
Acoustic neuroma
Recall 3 vestibular causes of vertigo
Meniere’s
BPPV
Labyrinthitis
Recall 5 central causes of vertigo
Vestibular schwannoma MS Stroke Head injury Inner ear syphillis
What is Meniere’s?
Dilatation of endolymph spaces of membranous labyrinth
What are the symptoms of Meniere’s?
Clustered attacks lasting mins-hours
Recurrent episodes of vertigo, tinnitus + SNHL
Aural fullness/ pressure
N+V
Nystagmus + positive Romberg test
How is Meniere’s managed?
ENT assessment to confirm Dx
Patients should inform DVLA + stop driving until satisfactory control of Sx
Acute: Buccal/ IM Prochlorperazine
Prevention: Betahistine + vestibular rehabilitation
What are the symptoms of viral labyrinthitis/ vestibular neuronitis?
Severe vertigo, nystagmus + vomiting following an URTI
How can you differentiate between vestibular neuronitis and viral labyrinthitis clinically?
Hearing may be affected in viral labyrinthitis but isn’t in vestibular neuronitis
How can vestibular neuronitis be differentiated from posterior circulation stroke?
HiNTS exam
(Head impulse, Nystagmus and Test of Skew)
Peripheral vertigo: abnormal Hi, no/ unidirectional N + no vertical skew
Central vertigo: normal Hi, vertical/ saccadic N, vertical skew
How should viral labyrinthitis/ vestibular neuronitis be managed?
If severe: IV prochlorperazine
If less severe: PO cyclizine and prochlorperazine
Give 4 signs and symptoms of vestibular neuronitis
Recurrent vertigo attacks: hours-days
N+V
Horizontal nystagmus
NO hearing loss or tinnitus
Describe management of vestibular neuronitis
Mild: Short course PO Prochlorperazine/ antihistamine e.g. cyclizine, promethazine
Severe: Buccal/ IM Prochlorperazine (rapid relief)
Chronic Sx: vestibular rehabilitation exercises
What is BPPV? What is the pathophysiology?
disorder of inner ear characterised by repeated episodes of positional vertigo
Otoconia (crystals) dislodge + migrate into semi-circular canals, disrupting endolymph dynamics, causing motion of fluid, inducing vertigo
Posterior semi-circular canal affected in 85-95%
List 3 precipitants to BPPV
Head injury
Ear surgery
Post-inner ear pathology e.g. Meniere’s, labrynthitis, vestibular neuronitis
Describe the vertigo in BPPV
Sx brought on by specific movements/ positions of head
Transient; <60s
N+V may occur
Lightheadedness/ imbalance persist
Name 2 symptoms that do NOT occur in BPPV
Hearing loss
Tinnitus
How can BPPV be diagnosed?
Dix-Hallpike manoevre:
Rapidly lower patient to supine position with extended neck
Provokes vertigo + torsional (rotatory) upbeating nystagmus
How can BPPV be managed?
Resolves in weeks-months
Symptomatic relief with:
* Epley manoevre
* Vestibular rehabilitation (patient exercises e.g. Brandt-Daroff)
What medication is often prescribed in BPPV, but is of limited value?
Betahistine
Vasodilates + improves blood flow to inner ear
Prognosis in BPPV
Often relapsing-remitting
~50% have recurrence 3-5y after dx
What is acoustic neuroma also known as?
Vestibular schwannoma
What are acoustic neuromas?
Benign tumours arising from Schwann cells
Primarily originate within vestibular portion of CN VIII
Form in internal acoustic canal with variable extension into cerebellopontine angle
What are the symptoms of acoustic neuroma?
Slow-onset, unilateral SNHL
Tinnitus
Vertigo
Absent corneal reflex
How can clinical features of acoustic neuroma be predicted by cranial nerve involvement?
CN V: absent corneal reflex
CN VII: Facial palsy
CN VIII: Vertigo, unilateral SNHL, unilateral tinnitus
In which condition are bilateral acoustic neuromas seen in?
Neurofibromatosis type 2
How should possible acoustic neuroma be investigated?
Contrast MRI of cerebellopontine angle
Pure tone audiometry: >90% have some type of HL
Describe management of acoustic neuromas
Observation (MRI every 6-12m): small tumours/ minimal HL
Surgery/ Radiotherapy: large tumours/ significant hearing los
Give 4 signs and symptoms of impacted earwax
Pain
Conductive HL
Tinnitus
Vertigo
Describe management of impacted ear wax
Olive oil drops
(or sodium bicarbonate 5% or almond oil)
Irrigation (ear syringing)
What is otosclerosis?
Replacement of normal bone by vascular spongy bone
Causes progressive conductive HL due to fixation of the stapes at the oval window
Autosomal dominant
Onset 20-40y
What are the symptoms of otosclerosis?
BL conductive HL
Tinnitus
Hearing loss improves with noise but worsens with pregnancy, menstruation, menopause
Describe the appearance of the tympanic membrane in otosclerosis
Majority normal
10% have ‘flamingo tinge’ caused by hyperaemia
How should otosclerosis be managed?
Hearing aid, stapes implant
What is Presbycusis?
Age related sensorineural hearing loss
High freq. hearing affected bilaterally- difficulty in conversation in noisy environments
Progresses slowly- atrophy of sensory hair cells + neurones in cochlea over time
List 6 contributory factors to Presbycusis
Arteriosclerosis: diminished perfusion + oxygenation of cochlea
Diabetes: acceleration of arteriosclerosis
Accumulated exposure to noice
Drugs: salicylates, chemo
Stress
Genetics: predisposed to early ageing of auditory system
Give 5 features of presentation of presbycusis
Speech difficult to understand
Need for increased vol on TV/ radio
Difficulty using phone
Loss of directionality of sound
Worsening of Sx in noisy environments
What are 2 less common symptoms of presbycusis?
Hyperacusis: heightened sensitivity to certain freq of sound
Tinnitus
What sign may be found in presbycusis?
Possible Weber’s test BC localisation to 1 side if SNHL not completely bilateral
What 4 investigations should be performed in presbycusis?
Otoscopy: Normal, to r/o otosclerosis, cholesteatoma + conductive HL (FB, impacted wax etc.)
Tympanometry: Normal middle ear function with hearing loss (Type A)
Audiometry: Bilateral SNHL pattern
Blood tests inc. inflammatory markers + specific antibodies: Normal
Give 3 features of audiogram in presbycusis
Bilateral impairment
High frequency hearing loss
Downward-sloping pure tone thresholds
How should sudden SNHL be managed?
Refer to ENT in <24h
High dose PO prednisolone
MRI to r/o vestibular schwannoma
Give 5 causes of sudden onset sensorineural hearing loss
Idiopathic (most common)
AI: Behcets, SLE
Infection: bacterial meningitis, mumps, Lyme
Metabolic: diabetes, hypothyroidism
Neoplasm
In which patients are auricular haematomas most common? Why is prompt treatment needed? What does this involve?
Rugby players + wrestlers
To avoid formation of Cauliflower ear
Mx: same day ENT assessment + incision + drainage
What is chronic rhinosinusitis?
Inflammatory disorder of paranasal sinuses + linings of nasal passages >,12w
Give 5 pre-disposing factors for chronic rhinosinusitis
Atopy: hay fever, asthma
Nasal obstruction e.g. septal deviation, polyps
Recent local infection e.g. Rhinitis, dental extraction
Swimming/ diving
Smoking
Give 4 signs and symptoms of chronic rhinosinusitis
Facial pain: frontal pressure pain, worse on bending forward
Nasal discharge: clear if allergic/ vasomotor. thicker, purulent if secondary infection
Nasal obstruction: “mouth breathing”
Post-nasal drip: may produce chronic cough
How should recurrent/ chronic rhinosinusitis be managed?
Avoid causative allergen
Nasal irrigation with saline
Mild Sx: PRN oral antihistamine (eg cetirizine) + PRN intranasal antihistamine (eg azelastine)
Severe Sx:
Intranasal CS (eg beclomethasone)
What is acute sinusitis?
Inflammation of mucous membranes of paranasal sinuses
Most common organisms: Streptococcus pneumoniae, Haemophilus influenzae + rhinoviruses
List 4 predisposing factors to acute sinusitis
Nasal obstruction e.g. septal deviation/ polyps
Recent local infection e.g. rhinitis/ dental extraction
Swimming/ diving
Smoking
Give 3 signs and symptoms of acute sinusitis
Facial pain: frontal pressure pain, worse on bending forward
Nasal discharge: usually thick + purulent
Nasal obstruction
What are the red flags in sinusitis that would prompt an urgent ENT referral?
Unilateral Sx
Persistent Sx >3m despite Tx
Epistaxis
What are the indications for admission to hospital with sinusitis?
Severe systemic infection Signs of dangerous complications of sinusitis eg: Periorbital/orbital cellulitis Meningitis Brain abscess
How should acute sinusitis be managed?
If Sx <10d: analgesia, advice + safety-netting
If Sx >10d: 14 day course of high-dose nasal corticosteroid
Abx PO for severe cases: phenoxymethylpenicillin
What is a ‘double-sickening’?
Initial period of recovery from viral sinusitis followed by worsening of Sx due to secondary bacterial sinusitis
What are nasal polyps?
benign lesions of nasal mucosa or paranasal sinuses due to chronic mucosal inflammation
Epidemiology of nasal polyps
1% adults
M > F
Not common in kids/ elderly
List 6 conditions associated with nasal polyps
Asthma (esp. late onset)
Aspirin sensitivity
Infective sinusitis
Cystic fibrosis
Kartagener’s syndrome
Churg-Strauss syndrome
What are 4 symptoms of nasal polyps?
Nasal obstruction
Watery anterior rhinorrhoea +/- post nasal drip
Sneezing
Poor sense of taste + smell
Describe management of nasal polyps
Refer all to ENT for assessment
Topical CS shrink polyps in 80%