eMedicine Specialties > Otolaryngology and Facial Plastic Surgery > Middle Ear & Mastoid

Middle Ear, Acute Otitis Media, Surgical Treatment: Workup

Author: John D Donaldson, MD, FRCS(C), FAAP, FACS, Chairman, Board of Directors, Lee Memorial Health System; President-elect, Florida Pediatric Society
Contributor Information and Disclosures

Updated: May 12, 2009

Workup

Laboratory Studies

Culture and sensitivity from a fresh perforation or a tympanocentesis may be helpful in the ongoing management of the residual infection. Early indication of the etiologic agent may be obtained from a Gram stain of the aspirate; however, more than one species of bacteria may be present in the middle ear.

Imaging Studies

CT scanning may be necessary to determine if a complication such as coalescent mastoiditis has occurred, but in the absence of any such suggestion, imaging is unnecessary. MRI may be more appropriate when an intracranial complication is suspected.

Other Tests

  • Audiometry
    • All children with acute otitis media (AOM) have conductive hearing loss associated with the middle ear effusion; consequently, testing in the acute phase probably is unhelpful.
    • Tympanometry may assist in the diagnosis of middle ear effusion but, for the skilled pneumatic otoscopist, is seldom necessary.

More on Middle Ear, Acute Otitis Media, Surgical Treatment

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Treatment: Middle Ear, Acute Otitis Media, Surgical Treatment
Multimedia: Middle Ear, Acute Otitis Media, Surgical Treatment
References
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Further Reading

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Keywords

otitis media, otitis media surgery, otitis media treatment, ear infection, ear infections, ear infection treatment, acute suppurative otitis media, acute otitis media, AOM, purulent otitis, otitis media with effusion, OME, tympanocentesis, myringotomy, myringotomy with ventilation, chronic otitis media, COM, ear infection, ear pain, ear ache

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Contributor Information and Disclosures

Author

John D Donaldson, MD, FRCS(C), FAAP, FACS, Chairman, Board of Directors, Lee Memorial Health System; President-elect, Florida Pediatric Society
John D Donaldson, MD, FRCS(C), FAAP, FACS is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, American Academy of Pediatrics, American College of Surgeons, and American Society of Pediatric Otolaryngology
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Medical Editor

John C Li, MD, Private Practice in Otology and Neurotology; Medical Director, Balance Center
John C Li, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, American College of Surgeons, American Medical Association, American Neurotology Society, American Tinnitus Association, Florida Medical Association, and North American Skull Base Society
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Pharmacy Editor

Francisco Talavera, PharmD, PhD, Senior Pharmacy Editor, eMedicine
Disclosure: eMedicine Salary Employment

Managing Editor

Gregory C Allen, MD, Assistant Professor, Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, University of Colorado School of Medicine
Gregory C Allen, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, American Academy of Pediatrics, American Cleft Palate/Craniofacial Association, American College of Surgeons, American Laryngological Rhinological and Otological Society, American Medical Association, Christian Medical & Dental Society, and Colorado Medical Society
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

CME Editor

Christopher L Slack, MD, Otolaryngology-Facial Plastic Surgery, Private Practice, Associated Coastal ENT; Medical Director, Treasure Coast Sleep Disorders
Christopher L Slack, MD is a member of the following medical societies: Alpha Omega Alpha, American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, and American Medical Association
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Chief Editor

Arlen D Meyers, MD, MBA, Professor, Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, University of Colorado School of Medicine
Arlen D Meyers, MD, MBA is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, and American Head and Neck Society
Disclosure: Covidien Corp Consulting fee Consulting; US Tobacco Corporation unstricted gift unknown; Axis Three Corporation Ownership interest Consulting; Omni Biosciences Ownership interest Consulting; Sentegra Ownership interest Board membership; Syndicom Ownership interest Consulting; Oxlo  Consulting; Medvoy Ownership interest Management position

 
 
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