Chronic inflammation of the middle ear

Synonym: Otitis media chronica The chronic inflammation of the middle ear comprises two diseases; on the one hand, bone ulceration, on the other hand, mucosal suppuration. All in all, it is a chronic inflammation of the middle ear with a permanent perforation of the eardrum from which pus emerges. This form of chronic inflammation of the middle ear affects the mucous membranes.

It is a central eardrum defect without inflammation of the bone. Cause The cause is usually a combination of repeated infections and a poorly ventilated tuba auditiva. Traumatic or inflammatory diseases, as well as defects of the eardrum can also trigger this.

Symptoms Those affected suffer from severe ear pain and purulent discharge from the ear. The hearing ability is reduced. The eardrum is preserved at the edge, but damaged in central areas.

During an inflammatory flare, the mucous membrane of the middle ear is reddened and thickened. Otherwise, it may appear greyish and dry. Therapy The perforated eardrum is closed in a so-called tympanoplasty.

For this, dry conditions must be created and the auditory canal is cleaned and disinfected. Suppurations are treated with ear drops containing antibiotics. After the treatment, care must be taken to keep the ear dry (absorbent cotton closure when bathing, no diving or swimming) and to sufficiently ventilate the tuba auditiva by nasal breathing.This is an inflammatory damage at the edge of the eardrum; the bone is also affected by the inflammation.

Causes The causes are the same as for otitis media chronica mesotympanalis. Symptoms Within the scope of the eardrum damage, a hearing loss (conductive hearing loss) occurs. The damage to the eardrum is marginal and malodorous pus emerges from the ear (otorrhea).

At the same time polyps can grow into the ear canal. Since the bone (for example the ossicles) is also affected by the inflammation, damage to the inner ear can occur, resulting in neurological deficits. These include nausea, dizziness, facial paresis and deafness.

This form of chronic middle ear inflammation can be the precursor to the development of a cholesteatoma. Therapy First of all, the auditory canal must be drained and local or systemic antibiotics are applied to stop the existing suppuration. In any case, this is followed by surgical repair of the eardrum (tympanoplasty) and removal of the cholesteatoma.