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Case-based MCQ 🔸 #MCQ_29
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The correct answer is E.
Otitis externa (OE)usually presents with ear pain, pruritus, and discharge. Examination findings of external otitis include tenderness when the tragus is pushed or the auricle is pulled, as well as erythema and swelling of the external auditory canal. The otoscopic examination should also assess for otitis media, tympanic membrane perforation, and signs of other diseases. OE often arises due to excess moisture and skin maceration or other factors that disrupt the skin-cerumen barrier.
Risk factors for developing external otitis include swimming (or other water exposure), trauma (e.g., ear scratching, cotton swabs), occlusive ear devices (e.g., hearing aids, earphones), allergic contact dermatitis (e.g., due to shampoos, cosmetics), and dermatologic conditions (e.g., psoriasis). The most common causative organisms in OE include Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa.
The diagnosis is based on history and examination findings (e.g., pain with tragal pressure or traction on the auricle). The initial step in the management of OE is to gently clear cerumen and debris. A wire curette or cotton swab can be used under direct visualization, and any remaining material can be removed with irrigation using dilute hydrogen peroxide.
Second step is treating inflammation and infection based on severity:
For mild OE with minimal erythema and edema, topical acidifiers (e.g., acetic acid) for 7-10 days are usually adequate.
For moderate OE with more significant pain, erythema, and edema (as in this patient), topical antibiotics (e.g., ciprofloxacin, neomycin/polymyxin) are recommended.
For severe OE with intense pain, and the canal is completely occluded from edema. Fever, periauricular erythema, and regional lymphadenopathy, topical therapy, wick placement, and, oral antibiotics.
Based on case presentation, this patient has moderate OE therefore topical antibiotics plus corticosteroid to reduce inflammation. In general, patients will report some change in symptoms within 36 to 48 hours after initiation of treatment, with a total symptom resolution of approximately six days. Patients should also be advised on preventive measures, including avoiding moisture in the ears, drying ears thoroughly after swimming or bathing, and using acidifiers at the onset of recurrent symptoms.
❌Choice A is not correct:
Topical glucocorticoids decrease inflammation, resulting in relief of pruritus and decreased pain. Preparations used to treat external otitis include hydrocortisone, dexamethasone, and prednisolone They are generally well-tolerated. Symptomatic therapy alone, however, is not recommended and antimicrobial therapy should be given.
❌Choice B is not correct:
Many patients with ear pain levels that are mild to moderate will have prompt relief from topical therapy. Those with pain will usually respond to oral nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen or naproxen that can be started at the initial visit Opioid analgesics may be needed in patients with serious pain associated with severe disease. Again, symptomatic therapy alone, however, is not recommended and antimicrobial therapy should be given.
❌Choice C is not correct:
Systemic antibiotics are reserved for invasive infection (malignant OE) or for immunosuppressed patients. Uncomplicated OE will respond to topical therapy.
❌Choice D is not correct:
Wick placement is indicated for patients with severe otitis, especially if swelling of the canal prevents penetration of antibiotic solutions. The wick allows for topical medications to reach deeper into the swollen ear canal. This patient has moderate OE with a patent canal; a wick is not necessary.
✅Summarized Points:
Otitis externa treated in two steps:
1st step → Cleaning cerumen and debris from the external ear canal
2nd step → treating inflammation and infection based on the severity