Otitis externa: Difference between revisions

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*Excessive Q-tip use
*Excessive Q-tip use


==Diagnosis==
==Clinical Features==
;Rapid onset (generally within 48 hours) in the past 3 weeks, AND.<ref name="CPGENT2014">Clinical Practice Guideline: Acute Otitis Externa Executive Summary. Otolaryngology -- Head and Neck Surgery 2014 150: 161 DOI: 10.1177/0194599813517659 [http://www.aepap.org/sites/default/files/otitis_externa_guia2014-rosenfeld-161-8_0.pdf PDF]</ref>
;Rapid onset (generally within 48 hours) in the past 3 weeks, AND.<ref name="CPGENT2014">Clinical Practice Guideline: Acute Otitis Externa Executive Summary. Otolaryngology -- Head and Neck Surgery 2014 150: 161 DOI: 10.1177/0194599813517659 [http://www.aepap.org/sites/default/files/otitis_externa_guia2014-rosenfeld-161-8_0.pdf PDF]</ref>
* ''Symptoms''  
* ''Symptoms''  
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==Differential Diagnosis==
==Differential Diagnosis==
{{Ear DDX}}
{{Ear DDX}}
==Diagnosis==
*Normally clinical


==Treatment==
==Treatment==
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*[[Malignant Otitis Externa]]
*[[Malignant Otitis Externa]]


==Source==
==References==
<references/>
<references/>


[[Category:ENT]]
[[Category:ENT]]
[[Category:ID]]
[[Category:ID]]

Revision as of 17:46, 26 May 2015

Background

Microbiology

Risk Factors

  • Swimming
  • Excessive Q-tip use

Clinical Features

Rapid onset (generally within 48 hours) in the past 3 weeks, AND.[1]
  • Symptoms
    • otalgia (often severe)
    • itching, or fullness, WITH OR WITHOUT
    • hearing loss or jaw pain AND...
  • Signs
    • tenderness of the tragus, pinna, or both OR
    • diffuse ear canal edema, erythema, or both WITH OR WITHOUT
    • otorrhea
    • regional lymphadenitis
    • tympanic membrane erythema, or
    • cellulitis of the pinna and adjacent skin

Differential Diagnosis

Ear Diagnoses

External

Internal

Inner/vestibular

Diagnosis

  • Normally clinical

Treatment

Hygiene

  • Cean the ear canal (Grade C)[2]
    • Cerumen wire loop or cotton swab usually works best
    • 1:1 dilution of 3% hydrogen peroxide if tympanic membrane is visible and intact
    • Place a wick if the ear canal is fully obstructed

Analgesia

Prevention

Keep ear canal dry

  • Abstain from water sports for 7-10 days

Antibiotics

  1. Ofloxacin (Floxin otic): 5 drops in affected ear BID x 7 days[1]
    • Safe with perforations
  2. Ciprofloxacin-hydrocortisone (Cipro HC): 3 drops in affected ear BID x 7 days
    • Contains hydrocortisone to promote faster healing
    • Not recommended for perforation since non-sterile preparation
  3. Ciprofloxacin-dexamthasone (Ciprodex): 4 drops in affected ear BID x 7 days
    • Similar to Cipro HC but safe for perforations
    • Often more expensive
  4. Cortisporin otic (neomycin/polymixin B/hydrocortisone): 4 drops in ear TID-QID x 7days
    • Use suspension (NOT solution) if possibility of perforation
    • Animal studies suggest possible toxicity from the neomycin although rigorous data is lacking[3]

Disposition

  • F/u in 1-2wks for pts with moderate disease

See Also

References

  1. 1.0 1.1 Clinical Practice Guideline: Acute Otitis Externa Executive Summary. Otolaryngology -- Head and Neck Surgery 2014 150: 161 DOI: 10.1177/0194599813517659 PDF
  2. Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named name
  3. Wright, C. et al. Ototoxicity of neomycin and polymyxin B following middle ear application in the chinchilla and baboon. Am J Otol. 1987 Nov;8(6):495-9.