Differentiating otitis externa from other diseases

Otitis externa Microchapters
Home
Patient Information
Overview
Historical Perspective
Classification
Pathophysiology
Causes
Differentiating Otitis Externa from other Diseases
Epidemiology and Demographics
Risk Factors
Natural History, Complications, and Prognosis
Diagnosis
History and Symptoms
Physical Examination
Laboratory Findings
CT
MRI
Ultrasound
Other Imaging Findings
Other Diagnostic Studies
Treatment
Medical Therapy
Surgery
Primary Prevention
Secondary Prevention
Cost-Effectiveness of Therapy
Future or Investigational Therapies
Case Studies
Case #1
Differentiating otitis externa from other diseases On the Web
Most recent articles
Most cited articles
Review articles
CME Programs
Powerpoint slides
Images
American Roentgen Ray Society Images of Differentiating otitis externa from other diseases All Images X-rays Echo & Ultrasound CT Images MRI
Ongoing Trials at Clinical Trials.gov
US National Guidelines Clearinghouse
NICE Guidance
FDA onDifferentiating otitis externa from other diseases
CDC on Differentiating otitis externa from other diseases
otitis externa from other diseases in the news
on Differentiating otitis externa from other diseases
Directions to Hospitals Treating Otitis externa
Risk calculators and risk factors for Differentiating otitis externa from other diseases

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Luke Rusowicz-Orazem, B.S.; Tarek Nafee, M.D. [2]

Overview

Acute otitis externa must be differentiated from other diseases that cause otalgia, ear itching, otorrhea, erythema and edema of the ear canal, hearing loss, ear pressure, and dermatitis.

Differentiating Otitis Externa From Other Diseases

Acute otitis externa must be differentiated from other diseases that cause otalgia, ear itching, otorrhea, erythema and edema of the ear canal, hearing loss, ear pressure, and dermatitis.

Disease	Findings
Otitis media	The inflammation of the middle ear. Usually presents with otalgia, feelings of "fullness" in the ear, otorrhea, partial hearing loss. Differentiates itself from otitis externa by also usually presenting with common cold symptoms from the causative pathogen, as well as neurological symptoms from the buildup of effusion in the tympanic membrane, including poor attention span, delayed speech development, clumsiness, and poor balance. Otitis media is differentiated from otitis externa in that it primarily affects children up to 5 years old.
Infectious Myringitis	The inflammation of the tympanic membrane. Usually presents with otalgia, otorrhea, and partial hearing loss. Differentiates itself from otitis externa by presenting blisters on the tympanic membrane. Additionally, the primary cause is mycoplasmic bacterial infection.
Sinusitis	Inflammation of the sinuses. Presents with fever, weakness, cough, nasal congestion, dizziness, and post-nasal drip. Nasal congestion can result in feelings of "fullness" in the middle ear that can manifest similarly to otitis externa. Sinusitis differentiates from otitis externa in that there is usually no ear pain or suppurative discharge.
Meniere's Disease	Presents with hearing loss, and feelings of "fullness" in the inner ear. Usually affects individuals between aged 40 and 60 years old. Caused by buildup of fluid in the inner ear. Differentiates from otitis media in that there is usually no ear pain or suppurative discharge, as well as presenting with severe dizziness and tinnitus.