W1L1: Otalgia Flashcards
What are the 5 ear symptoms someone can present with?
Otalgia Otorrhoea Hearing changes Tinnitus Vertigo
Is ear pain more likely to be primary or referred in adults/ children?
Adults: more likely to be referred
Children: much more likely to be primary
What is the significance of otorrhoea?
Discharge is coming from the outer ear or the tympanic membrane has been perforated
Primary ear pain: which parts can be involved?
Middle earl, tympanic memb, outer ear. NOT the innner ear.
Tinnitus: where is the likely location of the problem?
Inner ear
Vertigo: where is the likely location of the problem?
Inner ear
Primary Otalgia: 4 groups of causes?
- Infectious/ inflammatory: eg: otitis externa/ media, myringitis, herpes zoster etc.
- Vascular: Aberrant carotid artery, carotidynia, carotin aneurism
- Neoplasm
- Trauma
Secondary Otalgia: Which structures can refer pain to the ear?
Trigeminal V3 (opthalmic division) VII (via nervus intermedius) IX (tympanic nerve) X cervical plexus nerves
Ear examination: 3 components
- Ear
- Musculoskeletal: TMJ, cervical spine, neck muscles, muscles of mastication
- ENT exam
Top 3 causes of otalgia in an infant:
INFECTION, inflammation (teething, otitis media with effusion), foreign body
How does ‘glue ear’ present?
One year post otitis media, parents complains of child’s hearing loss and lack of speech development
What can form as part of the healing process of the tympanic membrane?
Granuloma
Top 3 causes of otalgia in a child:
Infection (ear or teeth), inflammation (teeth, cholesteatoma), trauma to TMJ or neck
What does otitis externa look like?
The EAC is oedematous so you ca only just see the TM with an otoscope.
May also be purulent/ fungal
Top 3 causes of otalgia in an adult:
Trauma/ degeneration (eg musculoskeletal)
Infection/ inflam (of the ear canal or something than can refer pain)
Neoplasia
