Ear, Nose and Throat Flashcards
(256 cards)
what is pure tone audiometry used for?
key hearing test used to identify hearing threshold levels of an individual, enabling determination of the degree, type and configuration of a hearing loss
Headphones deliver tones at different frequencies and strengths in a sound-proofed room.
Pt. indicates when sound appears and disappears.
Mastoid vibrator → bone conduction threshold.
Threshold at different frequencies are plotted to give an audiogram.
what test is this?
Pure tone audiometry

what is tympanometry used for?
an examination used to test the condition of the middle ear and mobility of the eardrum (tympanic membrane)
not a hearing test, but rather a measure of energy transmission through the middle ear.
tympanometry permits a distinction between sensorineural and conductive hearing loss, when evaluation is not apparent via Weber and Rinne testing.
tympanogram results showing a flat line suggests?
middle ear fluid or perforation
what is evoked response audiometry?
used for neonatal screening
auditory stimulus w measurement of elicited brain response by surface electrode
what is otitis externa?
inflammation (redness and swelling) of the external ear canal
ear pain, which can be severe
itchiness in the ear canal
a discharge of liquid or pus from the ear
some degree of temporary hearing loss
causes of otitis externa?
moisture e.g. swimming
trauma e.g. fingernails
absence of wax
hearing aid
what are the main organisms leading to otitis externa?
mainly pseudomonas
staph aureus
mx of acute diffuse otitis externa?
Manage any aggravating or precipitating factors.
Consider cleaning the external auditory ear canal if earwax or debris obstructs the application of topical medication
analgesia if required
topical antibiotic +/- topical corticosteroid
what is malignant otitis externa?
Life-threatening infection which can → skull osteomyelitis
90% of pts. are diabetic (or other immune compromise)
features of malignant otitis externa?
severe otalgia worse at night
copious otorrhoea
granulation tissue in the canal
mx of malignant otitis externa?
surgical debridement
systemic abx
what is bullous myringitis?
Painful haemorrhagic blisters on deep meatal skin and TM.
ear infection in which small, fluid-filled blisters form on the eardrum.
cause pain
assoc with influenza URTI

what is TMJ (temporomandibular joint) dysfunction?
condition affecting the movement of the jaw
Earache (referred pain from auriculotemporal N.)
pain around your jaw, ear and temple
clicking, popping or grinding noises when you move your jaw
a headache around your temples
difficulty opening your mouth fully
your jaw locking when you open your mouth
sign of TMJ dysfunction?
Joint tenderness exacerbated by lateral movements of an open jaw.
ix of TMJ dysfunction
MRI
Mx of TMJ Dysfunction?
NSAIDS
stabilising orthodontic occlusal prostheses
acute vs chronic otitis media?
acute: acute phase
vs
chronic: effusion > 3mo if bilat or > 6 mo if unilat
what organisms may be responsible for otitis media/
viral
pneumococcus
haemophilus
moraxella
Child post-viral URTI
rapid onset ear pain, tugging at ear
irritability, anorexia, vomiting
purulent discharge if drum perforates
O/E bulging, red TM, fever
acute otitis media
mx of acute otitis media?
paracetamol
amoxicillin (abx)
complications of acute otitis media?
intratemporal:
otitis media with effusion
perforation of TM
mastoiditis
facial n palsy
intracranial:
meningitis/ encephalitis
brain abscess
sub/epidural abscess
systemic:
bacteraemia
septic arthritis
IE
what is otitis media with effusion?
ie. glue ear
effusion after symptom regression (acute phase)
features of Otitis media with effusion?
inattention at school
hearing impairment
poor speech development





















