Traumatic Injuries of the Ear, SSNHL and Tinnitus Flashcards
In auricular injuries, hematomas ______________________________________ where ___________________________________________
separate the perichondrium from the cartilage where the blood supply disrupted causing cartilage deformities
In this injury case:
What would be the symptoms related to her hearing?
Traumatic TM perf with cochlear damage
Bleeding
Decreased hearing
Dizziness
What is Barotrauma?
Any type of pressure induced trauma
Baro = pressure
What can cause barotraumas? (2)
Diving, valsalva, sneezing, elevation changes,…
Injury can be implosive or explosive
What is Caisson Disease?
Aka “the bends” or decompression sickness
Can occur with deep sea diving
Arises from dissolved gasses coming out of solution into bubbles inside the body on depressurization
What occurs with the gasses in Caisson disease?
Compressed nitrogen (N) -> soluble
Decompressed N -> gas emboli/bubble -> back, joint, muscles -> sickness
Treatment-hyperbaric oxygen
Fistula =
abnormal connection
Perilymphatic fistula =
= between inner and middle ear
Different locations
Round window
Oval window
Others
What is this condition?
Round Window Fistula
What can cause Perilymphatic Fistula?
Usually an inciting event
Blow to the head
Sneezing
Lifting a heavy object
Sudden changes in pressure (flying, diving)
Sometimes spontaneous
What is the high-risk population from perilymphatic fistula?
Post-stapedotomy
Inner ear anomalies (Mondini malformation and large vestibular aqueduct)
How can we diagnose perilymphatic fistula?
Difficult to diagnose
History
Exam - Hennebert’s sign and Tullio’s phenomenon
Audiogram - sudden or rapid progressive HL
Definitive - look in the operating room
Explain Hennebert’s sign related to perilymphatic fistula.
Hennebert’s sign (fistula test)
Nystagmus/dizziness produced by pressure applied to the EAC
Positive in PLF, syphilis
Explain Tulliio’s phenomenon related to perilymphatic fistula.
Tullio’s phenomenon
Dizziness induced by sound
Positive in PLF, SSCDS, Meniere’s disease
How can we treat perilymphatic fistula?
Refer to ENT
Strict bed rest
HOB elevated 30 degrees
Avoid lifting, straining or hard nose blowing
Stool softeners
Surgery if no improvement (middle ear exploration and patching of fistula)
What can cause Temporal Bone Fractures (TBF)?
MVA
Physical assaults
Falls
Motorcycle accidents
Pedestrian injuries
Bicycle accidents
How can TBF cause hearing loss?
Hemotympanum
Ossicular chain disruption
Inner ear fracture
Others (concussion, nerve injury, TM rupture,…)
What are the types of TBF and how are they defined and diagnosed?
Types
Longitudinal vs transverse
Otic capsule sparing vs otic capsule violating
Defined with respect to the long axis of the temporal bone
Diagnosed with CT scans
Which type of TBF is this?
Longitudinal orOtic Capsule Sparing
Which type of TBF is this?
Transverse orOtic Capsule Violating
What are the characteristics of longitudinal TBF?
Lateral blows
Blood in EAC
TM perforation
CHL
20% facial nerve weakness