Otitis externa

Defense mechanism of the ear canal that is hydrophobic, acidic, and sticky

cerumen

Although swimming is a common cause of otitis externa, another common cause is excessive

cleaning or itching of ear canal

Recurrent or severe cases of otitis externa should be

cultured

One tx for otitis externa is to remove any

debris

What d/o is associated with a predisposition to otitis externa?

diabetes

otitis externa is the inflammation of the _____ and/or the ______

external auditory canal, auricle

otitis externa is associated with (3)

infection, allergic, dermal disease

Begins at junction of cartilage and bone in the EAC, granulation tissue develops over osseous canal, and infection progresses into temporal bone along Santorini fissure and into mastoid

malignant otitis externa

Devices that _____ predispose to otitis externa

occlude the ear canal

What population does malignant otitis externa occur in?

older, immunocompromised

Sx of otitis externa

otalgia, pruritis, discharge, hearing loss

Prevention of otitis externa involves ear drops before and after swimming made up of

1 part vinegar, 1 part rubbing alcohol

Most common ages for otitis externa

7-12

Examples of ____ for the tx of otitis externa include Cipro HC, *Ciprodex*, *Cortisporin Otic*, TobraDex, and Pred-G

Ototopical agents

Severe presentations of otitis externa require additional tx of _______, such as Augmentin, cephalexin, dicloxacillin, or fluoroquinolone

PO or IV antibiotics

Ototopical agents for the tx of otitis externa should be ____ and have a _____, _____, and _____.

acidic; steroid, antiseptic, antibiotic

Other tx for otitis externa sx

analgesia

ATBs that can be used to tx malignant otitis externa

ceftriaxone, amoxicillin-clavulanate

"swimmers ear" is known as

otitis externa

Inflammation of the external auditory canal and/or auricle

otitis externa

Patient presents with pinna uncomfortable to the touch. You are unable to pull on the pinna and tragus due to pain. On examination, you cannot see into the canal and detect a foul smell

otitis externa

What is a complication of otitis externa that should be watched for?

otomycosis

What is the primary way to tx infection and inflammation in otitis externa?

ototopical agents

Signs of otitis externa include ___ with manipulation of tragus and a _____ that is edematous, erythematic with yellow brown, white, or gray debris

pain, canal

Malignant otitis externa starts in external auditory meatus but then can progress to

parotid region, mastoid, middle ear, skull base

The most common agent of otitis externa is ___________, but others include S. aureus, peptostreptococcus, bacteroides, fungal

pseudomonas aeruginosa

Malignant otitis externa may require ___ in addition to ATBs

surgical debridement

Defense mechanism of the ear canal that are structures that cover the opening and serve as a barrier against foreign body entrance

tragus, conchal cartilage

Most cases of otitis externa are

unilateral