Tympanic membrane rupture

Revision as of 22:57, 31 March 2014 by Rossdonaldson1 (talk | contribs)

Background

  • Blunt trauma (hand blow to ear, fall, direct hit)
  • Penetrating trauma (Q-tip, matchstick, gunshot wound, welding spark)
  • Direct ear trauma
  • Barotrauma
    • Blast injury
    • Air travel
    • Scuba diving

Clinical Features

Differential Diagnosis

Workup

Management

  • Isolated small tympanic membrane perforations
    • Antibiotic ear drops for contaminated wounds
    • Water precautions (keeping water out of the middle ear)
    • Reevaluation
  • Significant hearing loss (≥40 dB), vertigo, nystagmus, ataxia, or facial nerve injury
    • Urgent evaluation by ENT

Disposition

See Also

Sources