Health Dictionary
Reliable, easy-to-read patient information on common medical conditions — written in plain language, free of jargon, and grounded in current evidence. Browse the most frequent diagnoses, understand what they mean for everyday life, and learn which steps and questions help you have a focused conversation with your doctor.
Otorrhea
Introduction
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Synonyms and keywords: Drainage from the ear; ear bleeding; bleeding from ear; ear discharge
Overview
Overview
Ear discharge may be caused by an irritation or inflamed tissue within the mastoid, ear canal, or middle ear.
Pathophysiology
When the middle ear becomes acutely infected by bacteria, pressure builds up behind the ear drum, usually but not always causing pain. In severe or untreated cases, the tympanic membrane may rupture, allowing the pus in the middle ear space to drain into the ear canal. If there is enough of it, this drainage may be obvious. Even though the rupture of the tympanic membrane suggests a traumatic process, it is almost always associated with the dramatic relief of pressure and pain.
Natural History, Complications and Prognosis
Instead of the infection and eardrum perforation resolving, drainage from the middle ear can become a chronic condition. As long as there is active middle ear infection, the eardrum will not heal.
Diagnosis
CT
CT of temporal bones may be performed for cholesteatoma, mastoiditis, and CSF otorrhea.
Treament
Medical Therapy
Foreign bodies can be removed with alligator forceps under magnification. In a simple case of acute otitis media in an otherwise healthy person, the body’s defenses are likely to resolve the infection and the ear drum nearly always heals. Antibiotic administration can prevent perforation of the eardrum and hasten recovery of the ear.
References
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]
Historical Perspective
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References
Classification
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1] ; Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief:
Pathophysiology
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Overview
When the middle ear becomes acutely infected by bacteria, pressure builds up behind the ear drum, usually but not always causing pain. In severe or untreated cases, the tympanic membrane may rupture, allowing the pus in the middle ear space to drain into the ear canal. If there is enough of it, this drainage may be obvious. Even though the rupture of the tympanic membrane suggests a traumatic process, it is almost always associated with the dramatic relief of pressure and pain.
References
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]
Causes
Overview
Common causes of otorrhea include infectious, malignant, and trauma-related aural conditions.
Causes
- Cerebrospinal fluid otorrhea
- Cholesteatoma
- Foreign body
- Malignant otitis externa
- Mastoiditis
- Otitis media with perforated tympanic membrane
- Otitis externa
Causes by Organ System
Causes in Alphabetical Order
- Actinomyces
- Adenoidal hypertrophy
- Aspergillus
- Aural polyps
- Basilar skull fracture
- Candida albicans
- Cerebrospinal fluid otorrhea
- Cholesteatoma
- Chronic otitis media
- Contaminated water
- Dermatitis of the external canal
- Epidural abscess
- Foreign body
- Granulation tissue
- Haemophilus influenzae
- Immunodeficiency
- Infectious eczematoid dermatitis
- Infectious myringitis
- Malignant otitis externa
- Malignant tumor
- Mastoiditis
- Moraxella catarrhalis
- Myringitis
- Occult cholesteatoma
- Otitis externa
- Otitis media with perforated tympanic membrane
- Prolonged topical antimicrobial use
- Pseudomonas aeruginosa
- Skull fracture
- Streptococcus pneumoniae
- Trauma
- Tuberculosis
- Tympanic membrane rupture
References
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1] Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Luke Rusowicz-Orazem, B.S. Kiran Singh, M.D. [2]
Differentiating Otorrhea from other Diseases
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References
Epidemiology and Demographics
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References
Risk Factors
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References
Natural History, Complications and Prognosis
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Overview
Instead of the infection and eardrum perforation resolving, drainage from the middle ear can become a chronic condition. As long as there is active middle ear infection, the eardrum will not heal.
References
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]
Diagnosis
Diagnosis
History and Symptoms | Physical Examination | Laboratory Findings | CT | MRI | Other Imaging Findings | Other Diagnostic Studies
Treatment
Treatment
Medical Therapy | Surgery | Primary Prevention | Secondary Prevention | Cost-Effectiveness of Therapy | Future or Investigational Therapies
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]