Ear Drainage in Adults

Ear drainage or otorrhea in adults is not as common as it is in children. Otorrhea in adults is typically secondary to trauma.
  1. Ear Drainage Diagnosis

    • There are three separate diagnosis for ear drainage (otorrhea): purulent otorrhea, non-purulent otorrhea, and bloody otorrhea.

    Purulent Otorrhea

    • Purulent otorrhea or ear drainage includes conditions such as acute suppurative otitis media, chronic suppurative otitis media, and malignant otitis.

    Non-Purulent Otorrhea

    • Non-purulent otorrhea or ear drainage includes conditions such as swimmer’s ear, CNS fluid leakage, and invasive otitis externa.

    Bloody Otorrhea

    • Bloody otorrhea or ear drainage is a result of trauma to the external canal, middle ear, barotrauma, and foreign body.

    Physical Exam

    • 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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