Otology

Question 1

in broad terms what part of the ear is for balance and which for hearing?

Answer 1

balance = semi circular canals 
hearing = cochlea

Question 2

6 symptoms in the history of otology

Answer 2

hearing loss 
tinnitus 
vertigo 
otorrhoea 
facial palsy 
otalgia

Question 3

4 examinations of the ears

Answer 3

otoscope
whispered hearing test
tuning fork test
microscope

Question 4

Rinne’s test

Answer 4

A. air>bone is a positive test

B. bonebone but both quieter is a positive test, sensironeural hearing loss

Question 5

Weber’s test

Answer 5

A. left=right and is central
B. right sensironeural loss - left>right
C. right conductive hearing loss - right>left

Question 6

2 investigations of the ear

Answer 6

pure tone audiogram

tympanogram to see how the ear drum is moving

Question 7

4 external ear disorders

Answer 7

otitis externa
auricular haematoma
foreign body
malignant otitis externa

Question 8

How is otitis externa treated?

Answer 8

ear drops, steroids, antibiotics

suction out debris with microscope

Question 9

What is otitis media with effusion also known as?

Answer 9

glue ear

Question 10

What causes otitis media with effusion?

Answer 10

dysfunctioning Eustachian tube eg tumour

Question 11

What is a grommet and what is it used to treat?

Answer 11

plastic tube sits in the ear drum to bypass the Eustachian tube –> glue ear

Question 12

What is cholsteatoma and what are the 2/3 main complications?

Answer 12

skin accumulation in the middle ear

erode into mastoid, erode into facial nerve, brain abscess

Question 13

How is cholesteatoma treated?

Answer 13

mastoidectomy

Question 14

tympanosclerosis

Answer 14

calcium deposits in the tympanic membrane

Question 15

otosclerosis

Answer 15

extra bone forms around stapes leading to conductive hearing loss

Question 16

presbyacusis

Answer 16

age related high frequency sensironeural hearing loss

Question 17

How can excess noise cause hearing loss?

Answer 17

damage hair cells in the cochlea

Question 18

give an example of an ototoxic medication

Answer 18

gentamicin

Question 19

What is bells palsy and how is it treated?

Answer 19

acute, idiopathic palsy

prednisolone or acyclovir

Question 20

How is tinnitus treated?

Answer 20

sound enrichment and stress management as no treatable underlying pathology

Question 21

4 differential diagnoses of vertigo

Answer 21

Meniere’s, migraine, bppv, labyrinthitis

Question 22

How do you determine what the cause of vertigo is?

Answer 22

features of episodes

Question 23

What is otoconia?

Answer 23

calcium carbonate crystals in semicircular canals

Question 24

What precipitates bppv?

Answer 24

changes in head position

Question 25

features of bppv episodes

Answer 25

lasts a few seconds, several times a day

Question 26

diagnosis and treatment of bppv?

Answer 26

dix-hallpike test | epley manoeuvre

Question 27

What causes labyrinthitis?

Answer 27

reactivation of latent HSV of vestibular ganglion | vertigo with associated hearing loss which lasts a few days

Question 28

treatment of labyrinthitis

Answer 28

acute : vestibular sedatives | chronic: rehabilitation and exercises

Question 29

Meniere's disease

Answer 29

endolymphatic raised pressure

Question 30

What symptoms are associated with Meniere's

Answer 30

hearing loss/tinnitus

Question 31

treatment of Meniere's

Answer 31

betahistine | steroids, diuretics

Question 32

Migraine treatment

Answer 32

prophylaxis, avoid triggers

Question 33

infratemporal facial nerve palsy cause

Answer 33

Cholesteatoma

Question 34

extratemporal facial nerve palsy cause

Answer 34

Parotid gland tumour