Abstract
There are a variety of causes of otorrhea in children. The most important factor in reaching the proper diagnosis and providing relief of the problem is aural toilet. Once adequate debridement has been performed, the diagnosis is usually clearer, and treatment with ototopicals is significantly more effective. Most cases of otorrhea are due to infection or granulation tissue and can be managed initially with appropriately selected ototopical medication, thereby avoiding the risks and side effects of systemic therapy and the need for referral to a specialist. However, otorrhea in children that is refractory to medical therapy may be due to retained tympanostomy tubes or insidious pathology such as cholesteatoma or malignancy. In such cases, prompt referral to the otolaryngologist can facilitate accurate diagnosis and successful management.
MeSH terms
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Anti-Bacterial Agents
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Cerebrospinal Fluid Otorrhea / etiology
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Cerebrospinal Fluid Otorrhea / therapy*
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Child
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Child, Preschool
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Cholesteatoma, Middle Ear / complications*
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Cholesteatoma, Middle Ear / therapy
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Cochlear Aqueduct / physiopathology
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Cochlear Diseases / complications
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Debridement
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Drug Therapy, Combination / therapeutic use
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Fistula / complications
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Foreign Bodies / complications*
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Granulation Tissue / physiopathology
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Humans
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Middle Ear Ventilation / adverse effects
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Middle Ear Ventilation / methods
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Otitis Externa / complications*
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Otitis Externa / microbiology
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Otitis Media with Effusion / complications*
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Otitis Media with Effusion / therapy
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Otitis Media, Suppurative / complications*
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Otitis Media, Suppurative / microbiology
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Otitis Media, Suppurative / therapy
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Pseudomonas / isolation & purification
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Treatment Outcome
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Tympanic Membrane / physiopathology
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Tympanic Membrane Perforation / complications
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Tympanic Membrane Perforation / therapy