Ear Drainage in Adults
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Ear Drainage Diagnosis
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There are three separate diagnosis for ear drainage (otorrhea): purulent otorrhea, non-purulent otorrhea, and bloody otorrhea.
Purulent Otorrhea
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Purulent otorrhea or ear drainage includes conditions such as acute suppurative otitis media, chronic suppurative otitis media, and malignant otitis.
Non-Purulent Otorrhea
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Non-purulent otorrhea or ear drainage includes conditions such as swimmer’s ear, CNS fluid leakage, and invasive otitis externa.
Bloody Otorrhea
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Bloody otorrhea or ear drainage is a result of trauma to the external canal, middle ear, barotrauma, and foreign body.
Physical Exam
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A person should get a physical examination to determine the cause of the ear drainage. The physical exam should include inspection of the external ear and canal, inspection of the tympanic membrane, and a neurological exam if patient is complaining of headache or has a history of trauma.
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