ruptured
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11:49 a.m.From: [email protected]
Subject: 6 year old with perforated ear drum caused by infection
Posted-By: xx108 (ENT Clinic Moderator)
Organization: Organization For Community Networks
Date: Tue, 17 Dec 1996 23:45:45 -0600 (CST)
Newsgroups: ofcn.clinic.ent
Hi, my daughter has a perforated ear drum and I'm finding out as much as possible on possible treatments and care.
She had an ear ache, we saw a doctor who prescribed amoxycillin for 7 days. At the 9 day mark we had her ear checked and the perforation was discovered.
What is the best treatment for this? She has never had ear problems before. Her hearing is marginally impaired.
Thanks
Reply: -----------------
Most likely your daughter suffered a spontaneous tympanic membrane perforation caused by acute otitis media (middle ear infection). In certain cases of otitis media with particularly virulent organisms, the infection develops rapidly causing in essence an abscess behind the ear drum. You can consider a spontaneous rupture of the ear drum in this situation as a function of the body's natural defense mechanism. With rupture of the ear drum, the abscess is effectively drained thereby aiding in the resolution of the infection. Antibiotics help ensure complete eradication of the infection. The rupture of the ear drum also helps to prevent serious complications of middle ear infections. Typically, rupture of the ear drum is associated with diminished ear pain and fever. Spontaneous tympanic membrane ruptures that occur with acute otitis media typically heal rapidly without any specific treatment outside of antibiotics prescribed for the inciting infection. Water precautions are often recommended to avoid introducing bacteria or other organisms into the middle ear during the healing period. Such perforations often heal within a few weeks. A follow-up observation 4-6 weeks following resolution of the initial ear infection is recommended. Rarely, tympanic membrane perforations of this nature will not heal and surgery known as tympanoplasty may be recommended. However, if chronic tympanic membrane perforations occur in young children, many otolaryngolgists advise delaying surgical closure until the later elementary school age if possible to allow for complete maturation of the eustachian tube, although there is some debate regarding this latter issue.
--
Steve Dankle, MD
Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery
Milwaukee, Wis
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