Primary Care Otolaryngology

Chapter 4

Complications of Acute Otitis Media Meningitis, sigmoid sinus thrombosis, subperiosteal abscess of the mastoid, brain abscess, and facial nerve paralysis. See Chapter 5, Otitis Media. Sudden Sensorineural Hearing Loss Sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSHL) is an idiopathic, unilateral, sen- sorineural hearing loss with onset over a period of less than 72 hours. The most common theories for the etiology are a viral infection or a disorder of inner ear circulation due to vascular disease. A wide variety of treat- ments have been used to treat SSHL, including oral and intratympanic steroids, hemodilutional agents, anticoagulants, antivirals, hyperbaric oxy- gen, and vitamins. The most common treatment for SSHL is a tapered course of oral corticosteroids and/or intratympanic corticosteroid injec- tions, yet there is no clear-cut evidence that shows a significant treatment effect. Regardless, SSHL is a medical emergency that warrants urgent con- sultation and follow-up with an otolaryngologist. The prognosis is variable and depends on the patient’s age, initial severity of the hearing loss, and promptness of medical treatment.

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Primary Care Otolaryngology