Signs
1. Pronounced, intractable middle ear pathology
  1. Thickened Tympanic Membrane
  2. Tympanic Membrane calcific white patches
  3. Perforated Tympanic Membrane
2. Ear discharge (Otorrhea)
Etiologies
1. Pseudomonas aeruginosa
2. Bacteroides fragilis
3. Staphylococcus aureus
4. Proteus species
Management
1. Topical or Systemic antibiotics to clear infection
2. Surgical correction of Tympanic Membrane defect
Complications: Infectious
1. Labyrinthitis
2. Meningitis
3. Extradural abscess
4. Subdural empyema
5. Otogenic abscess
6. Lateral sinus thrombophlebitis
Complications: General
1. Hearing Loss
2. Tympanic Membrane and ossicle damage
3. Chronic Otorrhea and Ear Pain
4. Tympanic Membrane Perforation (common)
5. Cholesteatoma

Family Practice Notebook

Patients should address specific medical concerns with their physicians.

Although access to this page is not restricted, the information found here is intended for use by medical providers.

This page was written by Scott Moses, MD, last revised on 10/21/2007 and last published on 2/5/2012.

This is one of 5663 pages in the Family Practice Notebook