Overview
Acute otitis media (AOM) is an
acute suppurative infection marked by the presence of fluid in and inflammation
of the middle ear, as stated in the Introduction
section.
Otitis media can occur at any age
but is most commonly seen in children between the ages of 6 and 24 months. A
detailed discussion about the prevalence of acute otitis media is in the Epidemiology section.
Streptococcus pneumoniae and Haemophilus influenzae are the most
common causes, while Moraxella catarrhalis is the third most common
cause of otitis media. Discussions on these pathogens are in the Etiology section.
The Pathophysiology section
states that otitis media usually begins after a
viral upper respiratory infection causing inflammation of the nose,
nasopharynx, middle ear, and Eustachian tube. The developmental process
of acute otitis media in affected patients is in this section.
Otitis Media - Acute_Disease SummaryHistory and Physical Examination
The Clinical
Presentation section
describes the clinical features suggestive of acute otitis media.
The History section and the Physical Examination section
explain the importance of noting the history of acute onset of signs and
symptoms and physical examination findings of middle ear inflammation and
middle ear effusion through otoscopy.
Diagnosis
Other tests that may
be considered in the evaluation of acute otitis media are in the Laboratory Tests and Ancillaries
section.
The Imaging section discusses the indications for further
diagnostic studies if intratemporal or intracranial complications of otitis
media are suspected.
Other conditions that are needed to be ruled
out in the diagnosis of acute otitis media are listed in the Differential Diagnosis section.
Management
Indications for specialist referral are listed
in the Evaluation section.
The Pharmacological
Therapy section discusses
symptomatic therapy and antibiotic therapy as well as the duration of the
therapy and topical therapy in the treatment of acute otitis media.
The Nonpharmacological section includes things
to educate the patient about the use of analgesics and antibiotics and the
management of patients diagnosed with acute otitis media.
The Monitoring section identifies indications
for follow-up of patients treated with acute otitis media.
