Ear Infection (Otitis)

Otitis Externa

Normal Ear

Otitis Externa Furunculosis

• Otitis Externa is common in Singapore in view of the hot humid climate.
• The best treatment option is a microscopic ear examination and clearance of all the debri in the ear canal followed by the application of an appropriate anti-biotic or anti-fungal cream in addition to the use of appropriate ear drops.

Otomycosis (Fungus)

Microscopic Ear Procedure to clean debri and pus

Chronic Otitis Media

Chronic Suppurative Otitis Media (SOM)

Subtotal Ear Drum Pertoration

• Chronic middle ear infection leads to a persistent tympanic membrane perforation.
• Reconstructive middle ear surgery or Tympanoplasty is advised in patients with a ear drum perforation with intact cochlea function.
• However, patients with cholesteatoma need surgery to convert an unsafe ear to a safe ear to prevent intra-cranial complications.

CSOM Attic Choleasteatoma

Serous Otitis Media

Serous Otitis Media

Serous Otitis Media

• Serous Otitis Media is usually the result of eustachian tube obstruction from allergies or nose / sinus infection.
• In Singapore, nasopharyngeal carcinoma has to be ruled out in adult cases.
• If maximal medical therapy fails, a ventilation tube or gromet tube is inserted into the ear drum.
• These can be short-term gromet or long-term T tubes.

Short-Term Tube

Long-Term T Tube

Adhesive Otitis Media

Adhensive Otitis Media

• Adhesive Otitis Media is more difficult to treat as the eustachian tube is not functioning well.
• A hearing instrument may assist in improving hearing.
• Reconstructive surgery is difficult with unpredictive results.

Tympanic Membrane Perforations

Traumatic Perforated Ear Drum

• Traumatic ear drum perforations usually heal spontaneously with time.
• Measures to prevent infection as in keeping the ears dry is all that is necessary.
• If the ossicles are not damaged, the end result is usually good should the cochlea not be damaged.
• Rarely is reconstructive surgery necessary .