Examine the cranial nerves
Hani TS Benamer in Neurology for MRCP PACES, 2019
Q: What are the causes of LMN VIIth nerve palsy? Bell’s palsy.Ramsey–Hunt syndrome due to herpes zoster infection.Cerebello-pontine angle lesion such as acoustic neuroma (if nerves V and/or VIII are affected).Head injuries involving the petrous bone.Middle ear infection.Parotid tumour.Parotid gland or ear surgery.Pontine lesion such as tumour if nerves V and/or VI are involved.Rarely caused by multiple sclerosis and neurosarcoid.If it is bilateral, consider Guillain–Barré syndrome, neurosarcoid and Lyme disease.
The Special Sense Organs and Their Disorders
Walter F. Stanaszek, Mary J. Stanaszek, Robert J. Holt, Steven Strauss in Understanding Medical Terms, 2020
The general term for any disease of the ear is otopathy, which contains the combining form oto- that is used in many terms referring to ear disease. For example, otoneuralgia is an earache of neuralgic origin, and otorrhagia denotes bleeding from the ear. Symptoms of infection, as in otitis media, include a deep throbbing pain or pressure that is perceived as coming from the ear (otalgia, otodynia), otorrhea or discharge from the ear, fever, and possible hearing loss. Examination (otoscopy) of the tympanic membrane with an otoscope may show a bulging, erythematous (red and inflamed) membrane. Visualization of bony landmarks may be impaired due to opacification (imperviousness to light) and edema or swelling. Reduced mobility and effusion (fluid from the middle ear) may also be noted on otologic exam.
Tobacco and Health
Rajmohan Panda, Manu Raj Mathur in Tobacco Cessation, 2019
Secondhand smoke is harmful especially for babies and young children as they are in their growing phase. Exposure to secondhand smoke may cause the following disorders: Low birth weight, which increases the chance of developing heart disease and type 2 diabetes when they grow up.A higher risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS).Serious lower respiratory infections, such as bronchitis and pneumonia.Respiratory symptoms, including coughing, mucous, wheezing, and shortness of breath.More ear infections than in a child who is not exposed to secondhand smoke (they are also more likely to have tubes placed in their ears to drain the fluid caused by a high incidence of ear infections).
Cochlear implantation in patients with canal wall down mastoidectomy cavities
Published in Acta Oto-Laryngologica, 2018
Song Gao, Yi Jiang, Guo-Jian Wang, Bei Cheng Li, Yong-Yi Yuan, Bo Gao, Dejun Zhang, Jianan Li, Qian Yu, Pu Dai
Cochlear ossification is another challenge in CI surgery. It may present as chronic middle ear infection. In general, CT and MRI can reveal ossification of the middle or basal turn and therefore contribute to surgical decision-making. The electrode array is inserted either into the scala tympani or the scala vestibuli if there is a lumen in the basal turn. If not, then insertion is attempted by performing either a cochleostomy in the second turn anterior to the oval windows or a drill-out procedure [2,14]. In our study of patient 5, after drilling of the total basal turn and part of the second turn and identification of the carotid artery, the electrode array was inserted into the second turn (Figure 1a). In patient 1, after a drill-out procedure of the beginning of the cochlear basal turn, the lumen was exposed and the electrode successfully implanted (Figure 1b).
Infant botulism: an underestimated threat
Published in Infectious Diseases, 2021
Luca Antonucci, Cristian Locci, Livia Schettini, Maria Grazia Clemente, Roberto Antonucci
In the absence of serious hospital-acquired complications, the prognosis for IB patients is excellent, with anticipated full and complete recovery. In the United States, the mortality rate for IB is less than 1% [40,104]. The course of recovery from IB usually proceeds with a gradual improvement in muscle function, usually without relapses. The worsening of clinical symptoms during the recovery of the patient should let the physician suspect a complication or inadequate respiratory or nutritional support. Infection is the most common complication and can affect the middle ear (otitis media), lungs (aspiration pneumonia) and urinary and intestinal tracts. Regarding intestinal involvement, patients should be carefully monitored for signs of secondary C. difficile infection (diarrhea, change in stool colour, abdominal tenseness, or distention), which can result from colonic stasis due to botulism. Bacteraemia and sepsis may also develop from indwelling venous lines [40,104,106]. Among complications, concomitant intestinal viral infections (mostly caused by enteroviruses) have been also described [125]. Infections and other potential causes of clinical deterioration are listed in Table 5 [72]. Sedatives or other drugs potentially resulting in CNS depression are relatively contraindicated [40].
Immune-mediated organ pathologies of vital organs
Published in International Reviews of Immunology, 2021
Viral bronchiolitis, a lung infection caused by respiratory syncytial virus, commonly affects infants and young children up to the age of two years. Viral bronchiolitis is an acute condition that initially affects the upper respiratory tract and subsequently progresses to the lower respiratory tract with excessive inflammation and mucus production. Children with viral bronchiolitis present with a runny or stuffy nose, difficulty in breathing, coughing, and occasionally low-grade fever. Additionally, this infection can reach the ear and may cause ear infection. The last article in this issue by Dias et al. analyzes the association of inflammatory cytokine TNF-α and IFN-γ and its link with viral bronchiolitis based on the current literature [4]. This article will be of relevance to a wide readership but especially those in the fields of immunology and viral immunology (Figure 1).
Related Knowledge Centers
- Ear Canal
- Inflammation
- Middle Ear
- Otitis Externa
- Otitis Media
- Otomycosis
- Infection
- Pseudomonas Aeruginosa
- Ear
- Immunodeficiency