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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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