Ear pain is one of the most common chief complaints pediatricians encounter in the outpatient setting and there are quite a few things you need to consider to make a thoughtful diagnosis, assessment, and plan. In this episode, we will discuss the differential diagnosis of ear pain in children, physical exam findings that will help you make a diagnosis, and treatment for the most common causes of ear pain. 

Resources and Links:

Anatomy and Ear Tubes/Adenoidectomy

https://www.texaschildrens.org/departments/ear-nose-and-throat-otolaryngology/conditions-we-treat/dysfunction-eustachian-tube#:~:text=Eustachian%20tubes%20in%20children%20are,cause%20pain%20for%20the%20child.

https://www.childrensmn.org/educationmaterials/childrensmn/article/18784/adenoidectomy-and-ear-tubes/#:~:text=The%20adenoid%20is%20located%20next,is%20for%20recurrent%20nasal%20infections

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK570549/#:~:text=The%20middle%20ear%20consists%20of,the%20transmission%20of%20sound%20waves.

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK551658/#:~:text=The%20inner%20ear%20is%20located,labyrinth%2C%20separated%20only%20by%20perilymph.

https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/treatment-tests-and-therapies/ear-tube-insertion

https://www.chop.edu/news/health-tip/3-signs-your-child-may-need-ear-tubes

Otitis Externa

https://publications.aap.org/pediatricsinreview/article/34/3/143/34784/Otitis-Externa

https://www.aafp.org/pubs/afp/issues/2001/0301/p927.html 

https://www.aafp.org/pubs/afp/issues/2006/1101/p1510.html

AAP Otitis Media Guidelines:

https://publications.aap.org/pediatrics/article/131/3/e964/30912/The-Diagnosis-and-Management-of-Acute-Otitis-Media