A 6-year-old female presents complaining of right ear pain. The tympanic membrane cannot be well visualized. She complains of pain when the tragus is manipulated. Several periauricular lymph nodes are easily palpable. Which of the following is the most likely diagnosis?
- acute otitis media
- acute otitis externa
- eustachian tube dysfunction
- Ramsay-Hunt syndrome
- perforated tympanic membrane
Answer: B
Acute otitis externa
OE is described here. OM would not cause preauricular nodes and tragal tenderness. Eustachian tube dysfunction would cause middle ear pain (like when you're up in a plane). Ramsay-Hunt is herpes zoster of the ear canal and would be visible. A perforated TM would cause middle ear, not external ear pain (typically).
Acute otitis externa is covered in the NCCPA™ Content Blueprint EENT (9%)
Learn more otitis externa and take the interactive lesson quiz at Smarty PANCE Otitis Externa
Note: * This is part of the Daily PANCE and PANRE in your inbox email series: 60 days of PANCE and PANRE Questions and Answers delivered directly to your inbox. It is a great and fun way to learn! If you haven't already, you can sign up for FREE by clicking Here.
Help support The PA Life for FREE!
This is provided as an opportunity for anyone who appreciates this email series to help support it painlessly. If you are going to be purchasing anything from Amazon.com (books, school supplies, etc.) simply start your next Amazon.com purchase by clicking here... it's a free way for you to help support the cause! Just click over to Amazon.com then, when you make your purchase, Amazon will send a portion of the proceeds to The Physician Assistant Life. The money goes toward paying for one-time and ongoing costs (like equipment, hosting, backup services, etc.). Thank you for supporting the site and keeping this content free!
If you are studying for the PANCE or the PANRE I recommend these review books