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