Ear Section (General Diagnosis)

What is an acoustic neuroma?

Benign tumor of CN 8 (called schwannoma)

What are symptoms of an acoustic neuroma?

Hearing loss, tinnitus, vertigo, and presence of tumor on CT or MRI

What is acute mastoiditis?

Bacterial infection of the mastoid process

What are symptoms of acute mastoiditis?

Presents clinically with the same signs and symptoms of acute otitis media, with the addition of inflammation and palpatory tenderness over the mastoid; hearing loss is commonly associated

What is acute otitis externa?

An infection of the outer ear, frequently referred to as swimmer’s ear

What are symptoms of acute otitis externa?

The individual will experience inflammation and pain of the outer ear; tugging on the pinna will be painful

What is benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV)?

A brief episode of vertigo brought on by a change of head position

How do you diagnose BPPV?

Dix-Hallpike maneuver; the patient rapidly moves from sitting to supine with the head turned 45 degrees to the left and wait 30 seconds, repeat on the right side if nystagmus is seen; + nystagmus, nausea, or vertigo

How do you treat BPPV?

Epley’s maneuver

What is an eustachian tube block?

Retraction of the tympanic membrane

What is meniere’s disease?

A disorder characterized by recurrent prostrating vertigo, sensory hearing loss, tinnitus, and a feeling of fullness in the ear

What is presbycussis?

Sensorineural hearing loss that occurs in people as they age and they may be affected by genetic or acquired factors

What is purulent otitis media aka bacterial otitis media?

A bacterial or viral infection in the middle ear

What are symptoms of purulent otitis media aka bacterial otitis media?

The tympanic membrane presents with a red appearance, dilated blood vessels, and bulging

What is serous otitis media?

An effusion in the middle ear resulting from incomplete resolution of acute otitis media or obstruction of the eustachian tube; this condition is usually chronic and the fluid is amber with bubbles

What is tinnitus?

The presence of ringing of the ears

What is vertigo?

An abnormal sensation of rotary movement associated with difficulty in balance, gait, and navigation of the environment

How would Weber test look like on an individual with normal hearing?

Equal sound heard bilaterally

How would Weber test look like on an individual with conduction hearing loss?

Lateralizes to involved ear

How would Weber test look like on an individual with sensorineural hearing loss?

Lateralizes to uninvolved ear

How would Rinne test look like on an individual with normal hearing?

AC>BC

How would Rinne test look like on an individual with conduction hearing loss?

AC<BC or AC=BC

How would Rinne test look like on an individual with sensorineural hearing loss?

AC>BC, smaller ratio (less time in bad ear)