Acute Otitis Media: 6 Steps to Improve Diagnostic Accuracy

摘要

An efficient and decorate ear examination Is dependent on the quality and condition of the equipment, an adequately restrained patient, and the ability to visualize the tympanic membrane (TM) The external auditory canal must be evaluated first. Edema, erythema, or otorrhea may indicate otitis extents or perforation of the TM. To diagnose acute ofifis media (AOM) or stiffs media with effusion, the middle ear space must be assessed for fluid. The presence of bubbles or an air/fluid level is indicative of middle ear effusion. Use of pneumatic otoscopy to assess TM mobility has been shown to improve the accurate Identification of middle ear effusion. A bulging TM with impaired mobility has a 99% predictive value In diagnosing AOM. A retracted TM can be quite painful; however, this is unlikely to be caused by a bacterial infection and treatment with antibiotics would be inappropriate. Abnormal TM color alone Is not enough to diagnose AOM.