Otolaryngologic Emergencies

Kalpesh Patel, MD

Department of Pediatric Emergency Medicine

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Objectives

To perform a visual review of common causes of ENT emergencies

Common diagnoses will be quickly reviewed and infrequent ones reviewed more in depth:

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Vertigo

Vertigo is a symptom of a larger problem, so look for the cause.

Nausea/Vomiting, Imbalance, Irregular gait Etiologies:

• Pneumatic otoscopy with cholesteotoma• Vestibular neuronitis• Trauma to temporal lobe of brain• Meniere’s Disease – Rare in kids• Benign paroxysmal vertigo

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Nose and Sinuses

Exam tricks:• Use vasoconstrictors before exam• Use nasal speculum• Close eye exam is also important to look for

complex sinus disease

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Sinusitis

The most common nose and sinus infection are colds.

Sinusitis is diagnosed when there are more than 7 days of mucopurulent nasal discharge with fever.

Complications of sinusitis:• Orbital cellulitis/abscess• Facial cellulitis/abscess• Meningitis

Hospitalization is the recommended treatment for complicated sinusitis