Pediatria pre prax 6/2018
Otalgia in pediatric patient (differential diagnosis)
Otalgia (ear pain) is one of the most common symptoms in the ear, nose, throat (ENT) area making paediatric patients visit their paediatrician and otorhinolaryngologist. The age range of affected patients spans from the newborn age to adulthood. In most cases, the origin of otalgia can be determined by thorough history and clinical examination (otoscopy). It is important to differentiate primary otogenic causes of otalgia (processes affecting the external, middle and inner ear) from referred pain. In the latter, based on the variable sensoric innervation, potential sources of referred ear pain have to be determined. In children, inflammation and infection are the most common causes of otalgia. However, there are also other less known causes that can be encountered in clinical practice and are described systematically in this review. Due to limited cooperation and anatomic differences, the differential diagnosis of childhood otalgia can be more demanding than in adults.
Keywords: otalgia, ear pain, neuralgic, paediatric patient
