Otitis Media (Acute)

The usual initial symptom is earache Earache Earache may occur in isolation or along with discharge or, rarely, hearing loss. Ear pain may come from a process within the ear itself or may be referred to the ear from a nearby nonotologic... read more , often with hearing loss. Infants may simply be cranky or have difficulty sleeping. Fever, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea often occur in young children. Otoscopic examination can show a bulging, erythematous tympanic membrane (TM) with indistinct landmarks and displacement of the light reflex. Air insufflation (pneumatic otoscopy) shows poor mobility of the TM. Spontaneous perforation of the TM causes serosanguineous or purulent otorrhea Otorrhea Ear discharge (otorrhea) is drainage exiting the ear. It may be serous, serosanguineous, or purulent. Associated symptoms may include ear pain, fever, pruritus, vertigo, tinnitus, and hearing... read more .

Severe headache, confusion, or focal neurologic signs may occur with intracranial spread of infection. Facial paralysis or vertigo suggests local extension to the fallopian canal or labyrinth.

Diagnosis of acute otitis media usually is clinical, based on the presence of acute (within 48 hours) onset of pain, bulging of the tympanic membrane and, particularly in children, the presence of signs of middle ear effusion on pneumatic otoscopy. Except for fluid obtained during myringotomy, cultures are not generally done.

Analgesia should be provided when necessary, including to pre-verbal children with behavioral manifestations of pain (eg, tugging or rubbing the ear, excessive crying or fussiness). Oral analgesics, such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen, are usually effective; weight-based doses are used for children. A variety of topical agents are available by prescription and over the counter. Although not well studied, some topical agents may provide transient relief but probably not for more than 20 to 30 minutes. Topical agents should not be used when there is a tympanic membrane perforation.

Although 80% of cases resolve spontaneously, in the US, antibiotics are often given ([ 1 Treatment reference Acute otitis media is a bacterial or viral infection of the middle ear, usually accompanying an upper respiratory infection. Symptoms include otalgia, often with systemic symptoms (eg, fever... read more ]; see table ). Antibiotics relieve symptoms quicker (although results after 1 to 2 weeks are similar) and may reduce the chance of residual hearing loss and labyrinthine or intracranial sequelae. However, with the recent emergence of resistant organisms, pediatric organizations have strongly recommended initial antibiotics only for certain children (eg, those who are younger or more severely ill—see table Antibiotics in Children With Acute Otitis Media Guidelines for Using Antibiotics in Children With Acute Otitis Media* ) or for those with recurrent acute otitis media (eg, ≥ 4 episodes in 6 months).

Others, provided there is good follow-up, can safely be observed for 48 to 72 hours and given antibiotics only if no improvement is seen; if follow-up by phone is planned, a prescription can be given at the initial visit to save time and expense. Decision to observe should be discussed with the caregiver.

All patients receive analgesics (eg, acetaminophen, ibuprofen).

In adults, topical intranasal vasoconstrictors, such as phenylephrine 0.25% 3 drops every 3 hours, improve eustachian tube function. To avoid rebound congestion, these preparations should not be used > 4 days. Systemic decongestants (eg, pseudoephedrine 30 to 60 mg orally every 6 hours as needed) may be helpful. Antihistamines (eg, chlorpheniramine 4 mg orally every 4 to 6 hours for 7 to 10 days) may improve eustachian tube function in people with allergies but should be reserved for the truly allergic.

For children, neither vasoconstrictors nor antihistamines are of benefit.

Myringotomy may be done by a specialist for a bulging tympanic membrane, particularly if severe or persistent pain, fever, vomiting, or diarrhea is present. The patient’s hearing, tympanometry, and tympanic membrane appearance and movement are monitored until normal.

Routine childhood vaccination against pneumococci (with pneumococcal conjugate vaccine Pneumococcal Vaccine Pneumococcal disease (eg, otitis media, pneumonia, sepsis, meningitis) is caused by some of the > 90 serotypes of Streptococcus pneumoniae (pneumococci). Vaccines are directed against... read more ), H. influenzae type B, and influenza decreases the incidence of acute otitis media. Infants should not sleep with a bottle, and elimination of household smoking may decrease incidence. Prophylactic antibiotics are not recommended for children who have recurrent episodes of acute otitis media.

Recurrent acute otitis media and recurrent secretory otitis media Otitis Media (Secretory) Secretory otitis media is an effusion in the middle ear resulting from incomplete resolution of acute otitis media or obstruction of the eustachian tube without infection. Symptoms include hearing... read more may be prevented by the insertion of tympanostomy tubes.