Purulent otitis - causes and signs of purulent otitis
There is a classification according to the localization of otitis. It includes:
- external - affects the external auditory canal, the furuncle occurs here;
- middle - inflammation with suppuration spreads to the middle ear;
- internal - inflammation and suppuration spread to the area of the inner ear.
There is a classification according to the localization of otitis. It includes:
- external - affects the external auditory canal, the furuncle occurs here;
- middle - inflammation with suppuration spreads to the middle ear;
- internal – inflammation and suppuration spread to the inner ear.
Stages:
- initial or pre-perforative stage – accompanied by pain, swelling, ear congestion, suppuration without discharge;
- perforative – marked by improvement of the patient’s condition, but discharge appears;
- reparative – characterized by cessation of suppuration and scarring of the perforation.
Causes
The etiology lies in the following factors: injury to one of the ear sections during hygiene procedures, surgical intervention, other mechanical influences, constant contact with water, for example, visiting a swimming pool. Occurs against the background of reduced immunity, as a complication of inflammatory diseases of the nose and nasopharynx: rhinitis, sinusitis, adenoids, measles, scarlet fever, acute respiratory viral infections, as well as pathologies that limit ventilation of the Eustachian tube, for example, curvature of the nasal septum.
Symptoms
There are a number of symptoms indicating the development of an inflammatory process in the ear. Most often, the disease is characterized by:
- pain that intensifies with pressure, chewing, sneezing, and other similar effects;
- distribution of unpleasant sensations to the temple, crown, jaw;
- swelling and redness of the skin and mucous membranes;
- accumulation of pus under the skin in the form of swelling;
- purulent discharge, congestion;
- decreased or complete loss of hearing, tinnitus;
- increased body temperature to 38-39? C;
- general weakness.
During perforation (breakthrough) of the eardrum, the patient's health improves: unbearable pain subsides, hearing returns, the temperature decreases.
Diagnostics
At the first symptoms, you must make an appointment with an otolaryngologist. Diagnosis of otitis is carried out using the following diagnostic measures:
- patient examination: otoscopy or otomicroscopy;
- determining hearing acuity using audiometry;
- tympanometry;
- radiography;
- computed tomography;
- paracentesis.
Treatment
To prescribe therapy, a consultation with an otolaryngologist is necessary, followed by treatment in a hospital setting. Daily hygienic procedures are carried out to remove sulfur and pus. Of the drugs, antibiotics, antipyretics, antiviral, antiallergic agents are prescribed. For local treatment - drops and ointments with an anti-inflammatory and antibacterial effect. Vasoconstrictors are prescribed to improve the patency of the Eustachian tube.
If therapy does not produce positive dynamics, surgical treatment is prescribed: catheterization of the Eustachian tube to administer drugs or shunting of the eardrum under local anesthesia to remove contents from the cavity and administer drugs. The shunt can be in place for more than 2 months. Another complication is cholesteatoma - a formation that occurs at the site of perforation and grows into the tympanic cavity, destroying regional tissues and bone.
Prevention
After the operation, it is necessary to strictly monitor hygiene: remove sulfur, pus released from the cavity, water after water procedures. And when installing a shunt, do not allow water to enter the ear, avoid hypothermia and drafts.
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