Week 1.6 - Otology Flashcards
What are common symptoms patients show up with?
- hearing loss in 1/2 ears
- discharge
- otalgia
- dizziness
- facial weakness
How do you examine patients for otology?
- look for scars from pervious surgery - mastoidectomy
- use otoscope
- tuning fork, other tests
How do you use an otoscope on patients?
- children - pull ear back
- adults - pull ear diagonal and back
What is ear wax?
secreted by dead cells of skin. has antibacterial properties.
How do you treat ear wax induced hearing loss?
- may cause mild hearing loss.
- treat with oil in ear or sodium bicarbonate drops, or suction.
What instruments may be used to remove a foreign body from the ear?
- wax hook
- micro-suction
- syringe
How do you treat otitis externa?
topical antibiotics drops - cilodex (clarithromycin with dexamethosone)
How do you treat worsening otitis media with an almost-blocked ear canal?
put in pope wick - small soft tampon. put cilodex drops on it. after 3 days take out and continue drops
What causes perichondritis of pinna?
severe complication of otitis externa - infection entered cartilage of ear. known as cellulitis. hospital, IV and topical antibiotics
What is fungus auto cyxtera?
- usually aspergillus
- occurs in chronically wet ear
- also over-antibiotic use allows space for fungus to grow
How do you treat fungus auto cyxtera?
clomitrazole or nystatin anti-fungals for 2 weeks. keep ears dry.
What is exostosis? how to deal?
- multiple bony swellings in ear following long term cold water exposure.
- treat hearing loss with debridement if severe, or if recurrent infections.
What is osteoma?
benign bony tumour. if asymptomatic, don’t remove, but monitor
What should you not give to a patient with a perforated tympanic membrane?
DONT give aminoglycosides as these may cause hearing loss.
What are the different types of ossicular problems?
- discontinuity
- fixation
- adhesion to tympanic membrane via retractive otitis media
