NURS 307: ENT abnormalities

Meniere disease

Affects the semi-circular vestibules in the cochlea; disorder of progressive hearing loss that in some cases has a genetic mode of transmission

Vertigo

Symptom of Meniere disease; illusion of rotational movement by a patient, often due to a disorder of the inner ear

Sinusitis (post-nasal drip)

Bacterial infection of one or more of the paranasal sinuses

Acute pharyngitis

Infection in the tonsils or posterior pharynx by microorganisms (streptococcal species)

Peritonsillar abscess

Deep infection in the space between the soft palate and tonsils

Retropharyngeal abscess

Life-threatening infection in the lateral pharyngeal space with potential to occlude the airway; most commonly occurs in children

Oral cancer

Cancer involving the oral cavity or related structures; most often squamous cell

Otitis media with effusion

Inflammation of the middle ear resulting in collection of serous, mucoid, or purulent fluid (effusion) when the tympanic membrane is intact; presents with hearing loss, sense of fullness or pressure in the ear, and potentially muffled hearing

Acute otitis media

Middle ear effusion that becomes bacterially infected; sudden onset of ear pain, fever, and potentially fluid drainage from the ear, often with irritability and difficulty sleeping

Otitis externa

Inflammation of the auditory canal and external TM surface ("swimmer's ear"); ear pain, itching, aural fullness, and potentially hearing loss, often with ear canal redness, swelling, and discharge

Conductive hearing loss

Reduced sound transmission to the middle ear

Sensorineural hearing loss

Inner ear disorder; caused by CN VIII damage, genetic/systemic disease, ototoxic medications, trauma, tumors, or prolonged loud noise exposure