SEARCH RESULTS FOR: Acute-Otitis-Media-Complications

Acute Otitis Media Complications

Acute Otitis Media: Complications Prolonged mucus buildup or swelling in Eustachian tube due to colds/allergies obstructs the Eustachian tube Fluid unable to drain through tube and accumulates in middle ear Acute Otitis Media Infection and inflammation of the middle ear Mastoid air cells are in physical contact with distal middle ear Pathogens move into mastoid air spaces Inflammation & infection in air spaces Mastoiditis Bacterial and immune cell debris (pus) accumulates in mastoid air spaces Untreated middle ear infection allows further bacterial proliferation Persistent effusion causes ion channel changes in inner ear Composition of endolymph and perilymph in inner ear changes Vestibular/Labyrinth dysfunction Feelings of Vertigo imbalance Purulent discharge from middle ear through perforation Otorrhea (ear discharge) ↑ Pressure in middle ear Pressure stretches tympanic membrane Cytokines reach hypothalamus through the bloodstream Hypothalamus responds to stimulation and ↑ thermoregulatory set-point High-grade fever Infection spreads into bloodstream Sepsis Cytokines alter metabolism pathways of neurotransmitters in the brain Cerebral cortex dysfunction Infection spreads to cranium Intracranial complications (e.g., meningitis, brain abscess, thrombus) Author: Jody Platt Stephanie de Waal Reviewers: Yan Yu Elizabeth De Klerk William Kim Annie Pham Michelle J. Chen Danielle Nelson* * MD at time of publication Helper T cells and macrophages release inflammatory cytokines into the bloodstream Perforation of tympanic membrane ↓ Conduction of sound waves Conductive hearing loss Pressure in middle ear diffuses out of perforation ↓ Tympanic membrane stretching Otalgia (ear pain) fades Accumulated debris compresses cranial nerve VII Facial nerve palsy Mastoid abscess Febrile seizures Legend: Pathophysiology Mechanism Sign/Symptom/Lab Finding Complications Published Feb 28, 2013, updated Apr 29, 2024 on www.thecalgaryguide.com