Ear‑Related Otalgia & Post‑Auricular Pain Clinical Guide For Eustachian Tube Dysfunction (ETD), Otitis Media with Effusion (OME), Acute Otitis Media (AOM), and Mastoiditis
- Mayta
- Apr 21
- 4 min read
(Eustachian Tube Dysfunction • Otitis Media with Effusion • Acute Otitis Media • TMJ Dysfunction • Mastoiditis)
Purpose – A clinician‑oriented reference summarising pathophysiology, distinguishing clinical clues, investigations, and up‑to‑date management for the five key entities that frequently enter the differential when a patient reports ear pain or pain behind the ear.
1. Eustachian Tube Dysfunction (ETD)
Pathophysiology
Failure of the tube to open adequately → negative middle‑ear pressure → retracted TM, conductive discomfort.
Common precipitants: viral URTI, allergic rhinitis, barotrauma, forceful sniffing.
Typical presentation
Dull, positional earache ± mild post‑auricular pain.
Aural “popping”, intermittent fullness, transient conductive loss.
Otoscopy: normal or mildly retracted TM, no effusion.
Key discriminators
Positional worsening (head‑down, altitude changes).
Absence of fever or frank inflammatory signs.
Investigations
Usually clinical. Tympanometry may show a type C curve (negative pressure).
Consider nasoendoscopy if chronic (>3 mth) to exclude nasopharyngeal mass.
Management
Behavioural: auto‑inflation (Valsalva), swallow/yawn, avoid forceful sniffing.
Topical steroids: e.g. mometasone furoate 2 sprays/nostril OD × 6 weeks.
Antihistamine if allergic (loratadine 10 mg OD).
Decongestant (oxymetazoline BID ≤ 3 days) for short‑term relief.
Persistent cases → consider balloon Eustachian tuboplasty or tympanostomy tube.
2. Otitis Media with Effusion (OME)
Pathophysiology
Non‑infective fluid accumulation behind an intact TM, often after AOM or with ETD.
Clinical picture
Painless or low‑grade discomfort; predominant symptom is conductive hearing loss or a “blocked” sensation.
Children: speech delay, inattentiveness.
Otoscopy: dull, opaque TM; visible air–fluid level or bubbles.
Distinguishing points
Fullness/muffled hearing without systemic illness.
Tympanometry: type B (flat).
Management
Watchful waiting 3 mth (most resolve).
Treat nasal allergy / ETD contributors.
If persistent >3 mth with hearing loss or in high‑risk children (e.g. speech delay):
Myringotomy with ventilation tube ± adenoidectomy.
Hearing support (bone‑conducting headset or hearing aids) while awaiting surgery.
3. Acute Otitis Media (AOM)
Pathophysiology
Bacterial (≈ 50 % Strep. pneumoniae, H. influenzae, M. catarrhalis) or viral infection of middle ear mucosa.
Presentation
Rapid‑onset otalgia, fever, irritability, ± otorrhoea after TM perforation.
Otoscopy: bulging, erythematous TM with loss of landmarks; reduced mobility on pneumatic exam.
Red‑flag differentiators
Systemic illness (fever ≥ 38 °C, malaise).
Bulging TM versus retraction in ETD.
Management (adult doses; adjust for paediatrics)
Analgesia first‑line: paracetamol ± NSAID.
Antibiotics
Immediate in severe disease, otorrhoea, immunocompromise, <6 mth, or poor access to follow‑up.
Amoxicillin 1 g PO q8h (or high‑dose 2 g q12h where resistance high) × 5–7 days.
If β‑lactam allergy: doxycycline 100 mg PO BID or azithromycin 500 mg day 1 then 250 mg OD × 4 days.
Delayed prescription (48 h “safety‑net”) acceptable in otherwise healthy adults/older children.
Complications (perforation, severe pain >48 h, mastoid tenderness) → ENT ± imaging.
4. Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ) Dysfunction
Pathophysiology
Derangement of the TMJ disc, arthritis, or masticatory‑muscle overuse → referred otalgia via auriculotemporal nerve.
Typical findings
Pain anterior to tragus, radiating to ear; worse with chewing, yawning, clenching.
Clicking, popping, or limitation of jaw opening.
Normal otoscopy.
How to tell it apart
Palpable tenderness over TMJ / masseter, positive provocative manoeuvres (bite‑stick).
Ear canal & TM completely normal.
Management
Education & self‑care: soft diet, avoid gum, heat packs, stop bruxism.
NSAIDs (e.g. ibuprofen 400 mg TID with food) 1–2 weeks.
Physiotherapy: stretching, posture correction.
Night‑guard for bruxism; psychological stress management.
Refractory: intra‑articular steroid/PRP injection, botulinum toxin for myofascial pain, arthroscopy.
5. Mastoiditis
Pathophysiology
Extension of AOM infection into mastoid air cells → osteitis; can progress to abscess, venous sinus thrombosis, intracranial spread.
Clinical hallmarks
Persistent or recurrent ear pain and fever following AOM.
Post‑auricular swelling, erythema, warmth; ear is pushed forward and down.
Otoscopy often shows suppurative AOM or perforation.
Distinguishing features
Visible post‑auricular swelling and erythema, toxic appearance.
Elevated inflammatory markers; CT temporal bone confirms coalescent mastoiditis.
Management (medical emergency)
Urgent ENT referral / hospital admission.
IV antibiotics: empirical ceftriaxone 2 g daily ± vancomycin if MRSA risk, tailored to culture.
Myringotomy for culture & drainage; mastoidectomy if abscess or poor response at 48 h.
Monitor for intracranial complications; image brain/venous sinuses if neurologic signs.
Practical Diagnostic Algorithm (Text Format)
Systemic signs present?
Yes → think AOM or Mastoiditis → examine TM.
Bulging TM without post‑auricular swelling → likely AOM.
Swollen, red mastoid, ear displaced → urgent Mastoiditis.
No → move to step 2.
Chief complaint is muffled hearing/fullness?
Yes → suspect OME; confirm by pneumatic otoscopy/tympanometry.
No → step 3.
Pain varies with jaw movement?
Yes → test TMJ; if positive, diagnose TMJ Dysfunction.
No → step 4.
Pain is positional (altitude, head‑down) or after sniffing?
Yes → ETD most likely.
No → reconsider atypical causes (e.g. referred cervical spine, neuralgia).
When to Image or Refer
Persistent conductive loss ≥ 3 months (OME) → ENT ± audiology.
Refractory ETD (>3 months) or unilateral ETD in adults → nasopharyngoscopy/CT to rule out tumour.
Severe AOM, suspected intracranial extension, or mastoiditis → contrast CT/MRI.
Uncertain diagnosis or red‑flag neuro signs → specialist evaluation.
Key Take‑Away Messages
Always correlate otoscopy with systemic findings; “red, bulging TM + fever” is infection until proven otherwise.
ETD and OME are pressure/ventilation disorders; mastoiditis is a deep‑space infection demanding urgent action.
TMJ dysfunction commonly masquerades as otalgia—palpate the joint in every case.
Reserve antibiotics for clear bacterial AOM, mastoiditis, or high‑risk patients; over‑treatment fosters resistance.
Structured follow‑up is vital: re‑examine at 48 h if treating conservatively, and at 4–6 weeks to confirm resolution in ETD/OME.
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