AOM

Anatomy

100

What separates the external ear from the middle ear?

Tympanic Membrane

200

What structure connects the middle ear to the nasopharynx?

Eustachian tube 

300

What bone is the most superficial to visualize using an otoscope 

Malleus

400

What specific anatomical difference in the Eustachian tube predisposes children to Acute Otitis Media compared to adults?

The Eustachian tube in children is shorter, more horizontal, and less rigid, making it more prone to dysfunction and infection

500

A non-neoplastic, abnormal collection of keratinizing squamous epithelium and debris within the middle ear and/or mastoid process. It is typically associated with chronic otitis media

Cholesteatoma

Symptoms

100

What is the most common symptom of Acute Otitis Media? (adults and children) 

Ear pain (otalgia)

200

What is the term for drainage from the ear often seen in Otitis Media with a perforated tympanic membrane?

Otorrhea

300

Which symptom is more likely in Otitis Media with Effusion than Acute Otitis Media?

Hearing Loss

400

Name 3 red flag symptoms of AOM 

• High fever (>39°C or >102.2°F).
• Signs of sepsis (lethargy, poor feeding, tachycardia, hypotension).
• Severe headache.
• Neck stiffness or photophobia.
• Altered mental status or confusion.
• Seizures.
• Postauricular swelling and erythema (mastoiditis).
• Ear protrusion.
• Facial nerve weakness or paralysis.
• Swelling around the ear or cheek.
• Vertigo or nystagmus.
• Sudden or progressive hearing loss.

500

What behavioral symptom might indicate hearing loss due to Otitis Media with Effusion?

Delayed speech development in children

Diagnosis

100

What tool is used to examine the tympanic membrane?

Otoscope

200

What finding on otoscopy confirms fluid in the middle ear?

Bulging tympanic membrane

300

Which diagnostic test measures middle ear pressure?

Tympanometry

400

What is the appearance of the tympanic membrane in Otitis Media with Effusion?

Retracted or dull with visible fluid

500

Why type of hearing loss in AOM would it be classified as?

Conductive hearing loss occurs due to the fluid or pus in the middle ear, which impairs sound conduction to the inner ear.

Treatment

100

First line abx treatment (no allergy) 

Amoxicillin

200

Worsening symptoms for 3-2 days after first choice taken

Co-amoxiclav

300

Penicillin allergy choice of antibiotic 

<6m - Clarithromycin

>6m - Azithromycin 

400

Indications for surgical intervention 

General indications for surgery are as follows:

• Perforation that persists beyond 6 weeks

• Otorrhea that persists for longer than 6 weeks despite antibiotic use

• Cholesteatoma formation

• Radiographic evidence of chronic mastoiditis

• Conductive hearing loss

Complications

100

Name one complication of untreated Otitis Media.

A LOT 

200

What is the term for a middle ear infection causing persistent ear discharge for more than 6 weeks?

Chronic Suppurative Otitis Media (CSOM)

300

What intracranial complication can result from untreated Otitis Media?

Meningitis 

400

congenital syndomres are associated with recurrent AOM

Trisomy 21 and cleft palate

500

Which rare complication of Otitis Media involves a venous clot and sepsis?

Lemierre’s syndrome