Hemotympanum

Hemotympanum refers to the presence of blood in the middle ear cavity. It is often a result of trauma, such as a blow to the ear or a barotrauma, but can also occur due to certain medical conditions like leukemia or hemophilia.

Causes

The most common cause of hemotympanum is trauma to the ear. This can occur from a direct blow to the ear, a skull fracture, or a sudden change in air pressure (barotrauma). Other causes can include:

• Infections: Middle ear infections can lead to hemotympanum if they cause a rupture of the eardrum.
• Blood disorders: Conditions that affect the body's ability to clot blood, such as hemophilia or leukemia, can lead to hemotympanum.
• Tumors: Rarely, a tumor in the ear can cause hemotympanum.

Symptoms

The symptoms of hemotympanum can vary depending on the cause. They may include:

• Pain in the ear
• Hearing loss
• Tinnitus (ringing in the ear)
• Vertigo (a sense of spinning)
• Nausea and vomiting

Diagnosis

Diagnosis of hemotympanum typically involves a physical examination of the ear using an otoscope. This allows the doctor to see if there is blood behind the eardrum. Other tests may include:

• Hearing tests
• CT scan or MRI to check for fractures or tumors
• Blood tests to check for blood disorders

Treatment

Treatment for hemotympanum depends on the cause. If the cause is trauma, the blood may need to be drained from the ear. If the cause is an infection, antibiotics may be prescribed. If the cause is a blood disorder, treatment will focus on managing that condition.

See also

• Otoscope
• Barotrauma
• Hemophilia
• Leukemia

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