Ear anatomy
Ear anatomy
Middle ear infection (otitis media)
Middle ear infection (otitis media)
Ear tube insertion  - series
Ear tube insertion - series


Otitis media - chronic

Alternative Names:
Middle ear infection - chronic; Ear infection - chronic; Chronic otitis media; Chronic ear infection

Symptoms:
Note: Symptoms may be continuous or intermittent, and may occur in one or both ears.

Signs and tests:
An examination of the ear may show dullness, redness, air bubbles, or fluid behind the eardrum. The eardrum may show drainage or perforation (a hole in the eardrum). The eardrum may bulge out or retract inward.

Cultures of drainage may show bacteria. These bacteria may be resistant or harder to treat than the bacteria commonly involved in acute ear infection.

Mastoid X-rays or a CT scan of the head or mastoids may show spreading of the infection beyond the middle ear.


Review Date: 2/7/2002
Reviewed By: Victoria Kennedy, RN, A.D.A.M. editorial. (2/7/2002). Previous review: Ashutosh Kacker, M.D., Department of Otolaryngology, Columbia-Presbyterian Medical Center, New York, NY. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.(7/24/2001).

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