ear, nose, and throat disorders
Earache
Etiology of Earache
Earache results from otologic causes (involving the middle ear or external ear) or from nonotologic causes referred to the ear from nearby disease processes (see table). Withacute pain,the most common causes are Otitis Media (Acute) None External Otitis (Acute) None Withchronic pain(>2 to 3 weeks), the most common causes are Overview of Temporomandibular Disorders (TMDs) None Chronic eustachian tube dysfunction Dermatitis of the Ear Canal (Chronic Otitis Externa) None Also with chronic pain, a tumor must be considered, particularly in older patients and if the pain is associated with ear drainage. People with diabetes or chronic kidney disease or in other immunocompromised states may develop a particularly severe form of external otitis termed malignant or Malignant External Otitis . In this situation, if abnormal soft tissue is found on examination of the ear canal, the tissue must be biopsied to rule out cancer. TMJ dysfunction is a common cause of earache in patients with a normal ear examination. 