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Abstract: Acute tympanitis is mostly due to various causes of otitis media or the direct spread of inflammation in the external ear canal. The male patient presented in this article had an ear infection caused by improper ear digging, which led to unbearable ear pain, so he was seen in our hospital. He was able to resume normal sleep.
Basic information】Male, 35 years old
Disease Type】Acute tympanitis
Hospital】Northern War Zone General Hospital
Date of Consultation】November 2021
Treatment plan】Medication (amoxicillin capsule, lomefloxacin hydrochloride ear drops)
Treatment Period】Outpatient treatment for about 1 week
Effectiveness】The patient’s symptoms were relieved and clinically cured
I. Initial consultation
The patient, a 35-year-old male, came to our hospital with the main complaint of “pain in the ear canal accompanied by tinnitus and hearing loss”. After brief communication with the patient, he described his medical history in detail, saying that three days ago, he had experienced pain, swelling and burning sensation in his ear canal after digging his ear with force. The results of the examination showed that the external auditory canal was clear, no foreign body or neoplasm was seen, diffuse congestion was seen in the deep part near the tympanic membrane, and the tympanic membrane was diffusely congested, and normal signs were unclear.
II. Treatment history
To clarify the diagnosis, further examination was recommended and blood sampling for routine blood tests was suggested. The patient’s leukocyte and neutrophil counts were significantly increased and the acoustic conduction resistance suggested a C-curve. For treatment, the patient was first advised to keep the external ear canal clean, avoid water in the ear, and strictly forbid to dig the ear again. Then, oral amoxicillin capsules were given for anti-inflammation (it is advisable to clarify that the patient has no history of allergy before using the medication), while lomefloxacin hydrochloride ear drops could be applied in the ear canal, and the medication was administered regularly for three days and observed the situation. If the symptoms improve significantly, stop the oral antibiotics and continue to consolidate the application of the ear drops for 3-5 days to achieve healing; the medication can be combined with local physiotherapy to promote the absorption of local inflammation in the tympanic membrane. Patients understand their condition and actively cooperate with the treatment plan.
(Sound conduction resistance)
III. Treatment effect
Amoxicillin capsule and lomefloxacin hydrochloride ear drops are both antibiotics, which can be used to control the progress of inflammation and facilitate anti-inflammation. The patient’s ear pain and tinnitus and hearing loss improved significantly after the medication, and the patient was instructed to stop taking amoxicillin capsule and continue to consolidate the treatment by applying only levofloxacin hydrochloride ear drops for about one week in total, and the patient’s clinical symptoms were basically cured. The patient’s clinical symptoms were basically cured, and the patient was very satisfied with the therapeutic effect of the two drugs together.
IV. Precautions
In this case, the patient’s symptoms were relieved and the disease was cured through active and effective treatment, so we are truly happy for him. In the early stage of recovery from acute tympanitis, the patient was instructed to avoid water in the ear canal, to prohibit blindly digging the ear with hands or other sharp objects again to avoid stimulating the ear to become infected again and causing pain, and to go to the hospital promptly if there is persistent itching or painful discomfort in the ear to clarify whether reinfection has occurred; at the same time, it is recommended to eat a light diet, avoid eating spicy and stimulating foods, eat regular meals, have a reasonable diet, take part in outdoor exercise, avoid staying up late, and take care of the patient. It is also recommended to take a light diet, avoid spicy and stimulating food, eat regular meals, eat a reasonable diet, participate in outdoor exercise, avoid staying up late, ensure sufficient sleep, and maintain an optimistic state of mind to help the condition recover completely.
V. Personal Insights
Acute tympanitis is a relatively common acute inflammation of the tympanic membrane, a common disease in otolaryngology. It generally starts rapidly, mostly due to bad ear digging habits, changes in air pressure in the ear canal and cerumen blockage, and patients will experience ear pain, tinnitus and hearing loss. Therefore, the mucous membrane of the external ear canal is relatively thin. In daily life, attention should be paid to protecting the external ear canal and avoiding external ear canal infection to avoid causing external ear canal infection or disease progression to acute tympanitis, which in turn causes severe pain and affects daily life and work. After the diagnosis of acute tympanitis, patients should actively treat the symptoms. During the treatment period, follow the doctor’s prescription for timely and regular medication, and follow up with the doctor in order to clarify the changes in the condition. During the treatment period, the patient should follow the doctor’s instructions and take medication regularly.