Hello Doctor, One More Case Study This Week, Hoping I’m

Posted on Sat, 23 Mar 2019

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Sat, 23 Mar 2019 Answered on

Last reviewed on

Question : Hello Doctor,
One more case study this week, hoping I’m right on the right track:
9 -year old male with CC mild earache for the past two days. Feels warm, mom did not check his temperature. Child reports increased pain lying down and that it was harder for him to hear and that he's been spending a lot of time in the pool.
Respectfully submitted and thank you!
Diff. Dx:
1. otitis externa (swimmer’s ear)
2. otitis media with perforation or PE tube present
3. cerumen impaction
4. foreign body
5. furuncle/carbuncles

Answered by Dr. Dr. (2 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Most likely swimmer's ear.

Detailed Answer:
Hello,

I have through your case and here is my advise.

As per your history, having earache, feels warm, decreased hearing with spending lot of time in pool, it may be swimmer's ear.

Otitis media with perforation may present with similar complaints, but usually having history of upper respiratory tract infection with cough, nasal discharge.

For diagnosis as foreign body, there should be history like that and in carbuncle or furuncle, usually there is no decreased hearing.

In cerumen impaction, usually there is no fever or feel warm.

So as per history, it is most probably swimmer's ear.

Let me know I can assist you further.

Regards,
Dr. Shyam Kale

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Kampana