Approach Considerations

Culture and sensitivity of a specimen from a fresh perforation or a tympanocentesis may be helpful.

Computed tomography (CT) may be necessary to determine if a complication has occurred; otherwise, imaging studies are unnecessary. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) might be more appropriate for diagnosing suspected intracranial complications.

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

Tympanocentesis

Tympanocentesis involves aspiration of the contents of the middle ear cleft by piercing the tympanic membrane with a needle and collecting that material for diagnostic examination. Normally, the hole is small enough to permit healing within 1 or 2 days.

Tympanocentesis should be performed in the following AOM patients:

Neonates who are younger than 6 weeks (and therefore are more likely to have an unusual or more invasive pathogen)
Patients who are immunosuppressed or immunocompromised
Patients in whom adequate antimicrobial treatment has failed and who continue to show signs of local or systemic sepsis
Patients who have a complication that requires a culture for adequate therapy

Laboratory Studies

A study by Pichichero and Almudevar indicated that the presence of AOM caused by nontypeable H influenzae, as well as the disease’s cure, can be determined from serum levels of S100A12 protein and interleukin-10 (IL-10).^[20]

Treatment & Management

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Bernstein JM. The role of IgE-mediated hypersensitivity in the development of otitis media with effusion. Otolaryngol Clin North Am. 1992 Feb. 25(1):197-211. [Medline].
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Media Gallery

Healthy tympanic membrane.
Tympanic membrane of a person with 12 hours of ear pain, slight tympanic membrane bulge, and slight meniscus of purulent effusion at bottom of tympanic membrane. Reproduced with permission from Isaacson G: The natural history of a treated episode of acute otitis media. Pediatrics. 1996; 98(5): 968-7.
Drawing of normal right tympanic membrane. Note outward curvature of pars tensa (*) of eardrum. Tympanic annulus is indicated anteriorly (a), inferiorly (i), and posteriorly (P). M = long process of malleus; I = incus; L = lateral (short) process of malleus.

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Author

John D Donaldson, MD, FRCSC, FACS Pediatric Otolaryngologist, Chief of Surgery, Galisano Children's Hospital, Lee Memorial Health System

John D Donaldson, MD, FRCSC, FACS is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, American Society of Pediatric Otolaryngology, American Academy of Pediatrics, American College of Surgeons

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Specialty Editor Board

Ted L Tewfik, MD Professor of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Professor of Pediatric Surgery, McGill University Faculty of Medicine; Senior Staff, Montreal Children's Hospital, Montreal General Hospital, and Royal Victoria Hospital

Ted L Tewfik, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Society of Pediatric Otolaryngology, Canadian Society of Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Chief Editor

Arlen D Meyers, MD, MBA Professor of Otolaryngology, Dentistry, and Engineering, 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, American Head and Neck Society

Disclosure: Serve(d) as a director, officer, partner, employee, advisor, consultant or trustee for: Cerescan;Cliexa, eMedevents, Neosoma, MI10<br/>Received income in an amount equal to or greater than $250 from: , Cliexa;;Neosoma<br/> Received stock from RxRevu; Received ownership interest from Cerescan for consulting; for: Neosoma, eMedevents, MI10.

Acknowledgements

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.

Francisco Talavera, PharmD, PhD, Adjunct Assistant Professor, University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Pharmacy; Editor-in-Chief, Medscape Drug Reference

Disclosure: Medscape Reference Salary Employment

Acute Otitis Media Workup

Approach Considerations

Tympanocentesis

Laboratory Studies

References

Tables

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