Otalgia (earache) is pain presented in the ear, which does not necessarily originate from the ear (primary otalgia). In the differential diagnostics of (secondary) otalgia cervicocephalic syndrome, temporomandibular disorders, odontogenic pathology, parotitis, tonsillitis, pharyngitis, epiglottis, oesophagitis and malignant tumours infiltrating trigeminal, vagal or auricular (cervical) nerves branches from oesophagus inferiorly and skull base cephalad, should be considered. Primary otalgia is usually confined to external otitis or acute otitis media, while it is rarely found as a symptom of chronic otitis media, except in exacerbations. In the chronic otitis media earache is usually a sign of complication and expansion of inflammation to the dura and cranial nerves. In the differential diagnostics of primary otalgia otoscopy and otomicroscopy are necessary, as well as radiologic work-out, where CT and MRI scans are replacing former conventional x-.ray Schuller and Stenvers views. If otalgia is associated with hearing or balance disorders without clinical manifestation of otitis, the etiology is most commonly viral neuritis of temporal bone nerves, and otoneurological diagnostic workout should be considered. If (secondary) otalgia is associated with dysphagia or odinophagia, the most common etiology would be tonsillopharyngitis, but quinsy, epiglottitis, tongue base abscess, parapharyngeal abscess, and tumours of pharynx, tonsill or tongue base or epiglottis should be considered. Eagle syndrom or elonged styloid process syndrom is also characterised by painful swallowing and referred otalgia. Earache can be caused by temporomandibular disorders, where otalgia is usually increased by mastication and joint palpation. The role of otorhinolaryngologist is to exclude otogenic and pharyngogenic otalgia, and the differential diagnostics should include workout considering cervicogenic otalgia (cervical spine x-ray or MRI), temporomandibular disorders (TMJ x-ray, dentist consultation), or odontogenic otalgia (dentist consultation). The diagnostic workout of otalgia should include radiologist, dentist, reumatologist, and neurologist.
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