Premium
Occult middle ear and mastoid fluid in acute otitis externa
Author(s) -
Brennan Tara E.,
SaadiaRedleaf Miriam I.
Publication year - 2012
Publication title -
the laryngoscope
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.181
H-Index - 148
eISSN - 1531-4995
pISSN - 0023-852X
DOI - 10.1002/lary.23414
Subject(s) - medicine , middle ear , throat , occult , otitis , nose , acute otitis media , ear canal , ear nose and throat , emergency department , surgery , radiology , alternative medicine , pathology , psychiatry
Abstract Objectives/Hypothesis: Presence of fluid in the middle ear (ME) or mastoid air cells in acute otitis externa (OE) has not been reported. We hypothesize that in patients with OE there is often otitis media (occult middle ear and mastoid fluid) and secondary fluid in the mastoid air cell system, which is not seen during a clinical examination because of edema in the external canal skin. Study Design: Retrospective chart review. Methods: We reviewed the medical records of 209 patients who presented to our ear, nose, and throat (ENT) clinic with acute OE that was resolved with oral and/or topical antibiotics. Results: Twenty‐seven of the 209 patients presented with unilateral or bilateral acute OE (29 ears) and received a computed tomography (CT) scan of their temporal bones, which was ordered by the Emergency Department or ENT services. Twenty‐three of 29 ears (79%) showed fluid in the ME, mastoid, or both. Nine of the 10 patients (82%), who obtained their CT scan within 1 week of symptom onset, were found to have fluid. Conclusions: These findings support our hypothesis and serve to inform the medical community (both ENT and primary care) that fluid is often present in the ME or mastoid in patients with acute OE whose symptoms will resolve with oral and/or topical antibiotics.