Investigations
Your Organisational Guidance
ebpracticenet urges you to prioritise the following organisational guidance:
Guide de pratique clinique sur la prise en charge de l’otite moyenne aiguëPublished by: Groupe de Travail Développement de recommmandations de première ligneLast published: 2022Richtlijnen voor de aanpak van acute otitis media in de eerste lijnPublished by: Werkgroep Ontwikkeling Richtlijnen Eerste Lijn (Worel)Last published: 20221st investigations to order
no initial test
Test
Usually no tests are necessary.
Result
clinical diagnosis
Investigations to consider
pneumatic otoscopy
Test
Usually not required but can confirm the presence of a middle ear effusion.
Result
inhibited movement of tympanic membrane on air insufflation
tympanometry
Test
Usually not required but can confirm the presence of a middle ear effusion; may be of limited use if the tympanic membrane cannot be visualised fully.
Result
flat (B) curve (low compliance)
acoustic reflectometry
Test
Usually not required but can confirm the presence of a middle ear effusion. May be of limited use if the tympanic membrane cannot be visualised fully.
Result
varies by device
bacterial culture of middle ear contents
Test
May be ordered when tympanocentesis is performed or when purulent otorrhoea is present. Culture is not required in most cases of AOM.[24] If considering microbiological workup, a mini-tipped swab of fluid draining from the middle ear cavity via established myringotomy or otorrhoea may be appropriate, after cleaning the ear canal.[24]
Result
growth of pathogenic bacteria
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