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This
means acute inflammation of the middle ear.
Aetiology
Mostly
the inflammation of the middle ear is an extension from
the nose and throat via the Eustachian tube e.g. in
rhinitis, sinusitis, tonsillitis and adenoiditis.
It is also common in swimmers and divers particularly
if the swimming pool is infected.Injuries of the tympanic
membrane and fractures of the skull involving the middle
ear are causative in certain cases.
The main causative organisms are streptococci, some
times staphylococci and pneumococci and rarely H.influenzae.
Symptoms
- Pain,
which is made worse by coughing, yawning, stooping
or blowing the nose.
- Fever
- Tinnitus
- Vertigo
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Signs
- Toxic
look i.e. raised temperature and rapid pulse.
- "Cart
wheel appearance" of the tympanic membrane.
- Tympanic
membrane congested and bulging outwards.
- Evidence
of nose and throat infection.
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Differential
Diagnosis
Boil in external meatus
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