Acute Otitis Externa Podcast: Part 1
This podcast highlights an updated Clinical Practice Guideline on Acute Otitis Externa (swimmer’s ear) appearing as a February 2014 supplement in Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, the official journal of the American Academy of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery (AAO-HNS) Foundation. Editor in chief Richard Rosenfeld is joined by authors Peter Roland, an otologist, and William Huang, a dermatologist, in discussing the key quality improvement recommendations in the guideline.
Description
Acute otitis externa (AOE), commonly known as “swimmer’s ear,” is one of the most common infections encountered by clinicians, affecting 2.4 million people (1 in 123) annually in the United States. Symptoms include itching, a feeling of fullness (with or without hearing loss), and intense pain upon manipulating the tragus or pinna, disproportionate to what might be expected from physical examination findings. The importance of distinguishing from dermatologic disorders is discussed, along with identifying factors that modify management, including diabetes, prior radiotherapy, immunocompromised state, non-intact tympanic membrane, or a tympanostomy tube. Clinicians shouldnot prescribe systemic antibiotics as initial therapy, but should instead prescribe topical preparations that may include antibiotics, antiseptics, steroids, as monotherapy or in combination. The importance of ensuring adequate delivery of drops to the ear canal is emphasized, and may include aural toilet or a compressed cellulose wick. Patients who fail to respond to initial therapy within 72 hours should reassessed by the clinician to exclude other causes of illness.
