The Child s Ear Normal? Abnormal? And what do we do next?
Anatomy of the Ear:
Outer (External) Ear
External Ear:
Middle Ear:
Inner Ear:
Inner Ear: Cochlea
Inner Ear: Semicircular Canals
Why do we care?
And. Ear pain, discharge from the ear, and suspected hearing loss are three of the most common and specific ear symptoms for which parents seek medical attention for their children One study revealed more than a third of sick visits to pediatricians involved ear symptoms Delayed diagnosis can have serious long-term sequelae including including increased medical costs, need for surgery, missed school days, and permanent hearing loss
Examining the Ear:
Techniques/Equipment: Otoscope/ Insufflator
Managing Difficult Exams:
Examining the Ear: External ear: Pinna Preauricular area Postauricular area including lymph nodes, mastoid process Ear canal
External Ear!
Cleaning Ears:
Best Way to Clean Ears At Home
Other Ways: Debrox drops Gentle lavage with bulb suction and warm water
And in the Office:
Middle Ear: Normal Tympanic Membrane
TM Landmarks:
Which side?
Disorders of the External Ear: Discharge Displacement Discoloration Deformity
Discharge:
Otitis Externa or Swimmer s Ear
Can also be caused by foreign bodies:
Or Trauma:
Otitis Externa: Symptoms Signs Treatment Prevention
Displacement: Mastoiditis
Discoloration: Battle Sign
Basilar skull fracture also often associated with hemotympanum
Deformity: Congenital- minor to extensive May indicate other organ malformations Microtia/auricle malformations Preauricular sinuses/pits/cysts Preauricular tags
Preauricular Pit/ Sinus
Preauricular Tags:
Infected/Retained earrings
Middle Ear Disorders: Normal Tympanic Membrane
Otitis Media:
Definitions of Otitis Media: Acute Otitis Media : 1. history of acute onset of signs and symptoms 2. the presence of middle ear effusion 3. signs and symptoms of middle ear inflammation
Acute Otitis Media Signs and Symptoms
A Little Note on Ear Pulling
Acute Otitis Media:
Acute Otitis Media:
Bullous Myringitis
Acute Otitis Media AAP/AAFP Clinical Practice Guidelines Published in 2004 to provide recommendations for primary care clinicians for the management of uncomplicated AOM in children ages 2 months to 12 years Based on a comprehensive review of evidence based literature related to AOM
To treat or not to treat? I want the bubblegum medicine
Age Certain Dx Uncertain Dx <6 months Antibacterial therapy 6 mo to 2 y Antibacterial therapy Antibacterial therapy Antibacterial therapy if severe illness, observation option if nonsevere >2 y Antibacterial therapy if severe illness, observation option if not severe Observation option
Complications of Untreated Otitis Media: Tympanosclerosis
Complications of Untreated Otitis Media: Tympanic membrane perforation
Complications of Untreated Otitis Media: Mastoiditis
Cholesteatoma:
Perforation with Cholesteatoma
Cholesteatoma: Formed by trapped epithelial tissue that grows beneath the surface of the tympanic membrane Most are sequelae of untreated or chronic-recurrent otitis media Will continue to enlarge if not surgically removed Locally destructive can erode mastoid bone, destroy ossicles, even invade inner ear structures or skull
Definitions of Otitis Media: Otitis Media With Effusions: 1. The presence of fluid in the middle ear WITHOUT signs or symptoms of an acute ear infection 2. May occur spontaneously because of poor eustachian tube dysfunction, before the development of AOM or as a result of AOM. Oti
Otitis Media with Effusion
Otitis Media with Effusion:
Otitis Media with Effusion AAP/AAFP Clinical Practice Guidelines Published in 2004 after multidisciplinary review of evidence-based literature of otitis media with effusion. Recommendations regarding diagnosis and treatment of OME in children ages 2 months to 12 years 8 major recommendations made No medication intervention recommended based on lack of evidence of benefit (decongestants, antibiotics, steroids,etc.) No recommendation made on possible benefit with allergy therapy If surgery is needed, tympanostomy tube insertion is the preferred initial procedure.
Tympanostomy Tubes
So Lets protect our children s wonderful ears