Via practica 2/2007

Acute otitis media and externa

otitis externa is an acute infection of the external auditory canal connected with pain localized to the ear and can be stronger by manipulation with the pinna or tragus. In otitis externa, the tympanic membrane si normal, whereas the canal is erythematous. Otitis media is an infection of the middle ear cavity and is most common in children between 6 mo and 2 yr of age. Patients with otitis media are usually febrile, they are in pain of the ear. The otoscopic examination reveals a bulging, erythematous tympanic membrane with loss of identifiable landmarks. Perforation of the tympanic membrane also may occur and usually is associated with acute relief of pain.

Keywords: external auditory canal, tympanic membrane, middle ear cavity, auditory (eustachian) tube, inflamation, antibiotics, myringotomy.