Ear Pathologies Flashcards
Auricular physical trauma
-risk factors, pathophysiology
Hematoma, laceration management
Rugby, boxers
- auricular cartilage receives blood from perichondral vessels
- damage to these vessels => avascular cartilaginous necrosis
- infection risk
Hematoma - shearing force
-aspirate, ABx, dressing
Lacerations -
-posterior auricular block, single layer closure
Auricular infection - perichondritis
- presentation
- pathophysiology
- risk factors
- management
Red, painful, swollen
Fever
Pus accummulates between cartilage and perichondrium => cuts off blood supply
Diabetics, IC, GPA
EMERGENCY ENT REFERRAL
ABx, drain abscess
Supportive
Foreign body in ear canal
- cause
- management
Inserted by patient
Bugs fly in
Kills bugs with mineral oil/lidocaine
Refer to ENT if you cannot remove it
Tympanic membrane perforation
- presentation
- causes
- management
- when to refer
Sudden hearing loss, tinnitus Earache Itching Fluid discharge Fever
Otitis media
Physical trauma, barotrauma, phonotrauma
Conservative normally enough
ABx used if evidence of infection
All need ENT follow up
Refer urgently if vertigo/VII involved
Acute mastoiditis
- common cause
- presentation
- management
Infection of mastoid bone secondary to acute OM
- pain, red, swelling over mastoid
- fever
URGENT ENT REFERRAL
-potential to spread to skull bones, blood, brain
