Question

A 2-year-old male was brought to the hospital after his behavior during the preceding several weeks indicated to his mother that he was experiencing otalgia of the right ear. The general physician examined his ears using an otoscope and observed myringitis. The physician referred the patient to an Otologist. Unfortunately 2 weeks later the infection had spread into the tympanic cavity causing otitis media. The tympanic membrane was surgically incised in a myringotomy procedure.

1. What was the patient experiencing?

2. What type of instrument was used for examination?

3. What is myringitis?

4. What is otitis media?

5. What is done in a myringotomy?

Answer 1

1. Patient was experiencing pain in his right ear. In medical terms it is called 'otalgia'. Specifically if the pain originates within the ear it is called as primary otalgia and if the pain is outside the ear it is called otalgia.

2. The instrument used for the examination is a type of medical device called 'otoscope' or auriscope. It is used to look into the ears in order to examine any illness and investigate ear symptoms.

3. Myringitis is an ear infection in which blisters and small lumps are formed on the eardrum. It is a painful condition in which the middle ear develops inflammation due to the formation of blisters. The eardrum also called as tympanic membrane lies between the outer ear and middle ear and is responsible for sending sound signals to the brain.

4. Inflammation of the middle ear is called otitis media. If it results from infection by viruses or bacteria it is called acute otitis media (AOM).

5. A myringotomy is a surgical procedure in which a small hole in the eardrum is created so as to drain fluids such as water, blood, or pus in order to relieve the build up pressure. It is performed by making a small incision with a myringotomy knife through the layers of tympanic membrane.