Hello and welcome to the Zero to Finals podcast. My name is Tom and in this episode I'm going to be

talking to you about Otitis Media. And you can find written notes on this topic at zero to

finals.com slash otitis media or in the ear, nose and throat section of the zero definals surgery book.

So let's get straight into it.

Otitis media is the name given to infection in the middle ear.

The middle ear is the space that sits between the tympanic membrane or the eardrum and the

inner ear.

The inner ear is where the cochlear, vestibular apparatus and nerves are found.

Bacteria can enter from the back of the throat through the eustacean tube.

A viral upper respiratory tract infection often precedes a bacterial infection in the middle ear,

so you might find that patients have recently had a cough or a cold before developing otitis

media. Let's talk about the bacteria involved. The most common bacterial cause of otitis

media is streptococcus pneumoniae.

This also commonly causes other ear-nose and throat infections such as rhinocinocytus and tonsillitis.

Other common causes of bacterial otitis media include hemophilis influenza, moroxella catarales, and

Staphylococcus aureus. Let's talk about the presentation. Ear pain is the primary presenting

feature of otitis media in adults. Otitis media may also present with reduced hearing in the affected ear,

generally feeling unwell, for example with fever, muscle aches and fatigue, and symptoms of

an upper airway infection such as cough, carisal symptoms or a snotty nose, and sore throat.

When the infection affects the vestibular system, it can cause balance issues and vertigo.

When the tympanic membrane has perforated, there may be a discharge from the ear.

As the pus and fluid from the middle ear can leak out through the perforated

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