What is acute suppurative otitis media?

DEFINITION Acute otitis media (AOM) is an acute, suppurative infectious process marked by the presence of infected middle ear fluid and inflammation of the mucosa lining the middle ear space (picture 1).

How does otitis media affect the tympanic membrane?

In acute otitis media, the tympanic membrane is usually bulging. In otitis media with effusion, it is typically retracted or in the neutral position. The tympanic membrane can be thickened in both acute otitis media and otitis media with effusion, thereby reducing visibility through it.

How does otitis media with effusion affect hearing?

OME is the most common cause of hearing impairment in childhood. The hearing loss usually resolves over several weeks or months, but may be more persistent and, if bilateral, may lead to developmental problems.

Why is otitis media with effusion more common in children?

Children are more likely to experience OME due to the shape of their eustachian tubes. Their tubes are shorter and have smaller openings. This increases the risk of clogging and infection. Children’s eustachian tubes are also oriented more horizontally than in adults.

What causes suppurative otitis media?

Acute otitis media and blockage of a eustachian tube are among the causes of chronic suppurative otitis media. A flare-up may occur after a cold, an ear infection, or after water enters the middle ear. People usually have hearing loss and persistent drainage from the ear. Doctors clean the ear canal and give ear drops.

What is the difference between suppurative and Nonsuppurative otitis media?

Suppurative otitis media is a fluid buildup in the ear with pus formation, while nonsuppurative lacks pus formation.

What is the difference between otitis media and otitis media with effusion?

Otitis media is a generic term that refers to an inflammation of the middle ear. The middle ear is the space behind the eardrum. Otitis media with effusion means there is fluid (effusion) in the middle ear, without an infection.

How does eustachian tube dysfunction cause otitis media?

Long-term blockage of the Eustachian tube leads to the accumulation of fluid in the middle ear space that further increases the pressure and hearing loss. This is called serous otitis media. Should bacteria contaminate this fluid, a middle ear infection may result, called acute otitis media.

What is the difference between serous otitis media and otitis media with effusion?

Otitis media with effusion (OME) is a collection of non-infected fluid in the middle ear space. It is also called serous or secretory otitis media (SOM). This fluid may accumulate in the middle ear as a result of a cold, sore throat or upper respiratory infection.

What type of hearing loss is otitis media with effusion?

This condition is associated with delayed language development in children younger than 10 years, and the loss is usually conductive, with an average air conduction threshold of 27.5 decibels (dB), but otitis media with effusion has also been associated with sensorineural hearing loss.

What is Tubotympanic suppurative otitis media?

Chronic suppurative otitis media is usually of safe/tubotympanic type in developing countries. Safe ear disease also known as tubotympanic disease is characterized by a central perforation of the pars tensa with the inflammatory process affecting the mucosa of the middle ear cleft.

What causes fluid buildup behind the eardrum?

Otitis media with effusion is the medical term for fluid buildup behind the eardrum. It happens because something–inflammation, mucous, a growth, or a structural problem–blocks the drainage of fluid from your auditory tube. You may or may not have symptoms.

What causes a negative pressure in the middle ear cavity?

Occlusion of the Eustachian tube by inflammation initially causes a negative pressure in the middle ear cavity. A sense of fullness is felt along with a hearing loss. The tympanic membrane is hyperemic along the handle of the malleus, the pars flaccida, and around the periphery.

What is tubal occlusion and how does it work?

In this method, called tubal occlusion, the uterine tube is blocked through the insertion of a micro coil or plug. This micro insert is a tiny, spiral, metal coil or a silicon plug that is placed inside each of the uterine tubes. The uterine tissue then grows around the device, kind of like scar tissue, blocking the tube.

Which physical findings are characteristic of acute otitis media (OM)?

Notice the redness of the tympanic membrane from the hypervascularity. This is common in the early stages of acute otitis media. Information: Acute otitis media is the rapid onset of an inflammatory process in the mucosa of the middle ear space associated with local or systemic signs.

What are the signs and symptoms of tympanic membrane hyperemic exudation?

A sense of fullness is felt along with a hearing loss. The tympanic membrane is hyperemic along the handle of the malleus, the pars flaccida, and around the periphery. Fever and otalgia may be apparent but neither is severe. The second stage is exudation.