Inflammation of the middle ear accompanied by the symptoms and signs of acute inflammation with/without an accumulation of fluid

Aetiology

• Predominantly disease of infants and children
• Often viral with bacterial secondary infection
  • Commonly associated with URTIs
  • Most common bacteria: H. influenzae, Strep. pneumoniae, Strep. pyogenes
  • If chronic - Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staph. aureus, fungal

Pathophysiology

• Infection extends from the throat to the ear via the Eustachian tube

Clinical features

Symptoms

• Ear pain
• Fever
• Irritability
• May have hearing loss

Signs

• Ear appears inflamed
• Middle ear effusion may be present
• Opaque tympanic membrane
• Bulging typanic membrane may be present
• Mobility of tympanic membrane may be impaired

Investigations