Acute otalgia is a common reason why patients, particularly those in the pediatric population, seek care in the urgent care setting. Although many patients who present with acute otalgia will have acute otitis media (AOM) or acute otitis externa (AOE), the differential diagnosis is complicated by trauma, cerumen impaction, tonsillitis, foreign bodies, or other infections. While most cases of AOM or AOE can be managed in urgent care, more severe disease processes will require referral to otolaryngology and/or the emergency department. This review provides evidence-based recommendations for the evaluation and management of patients with acute otalgia, with a focus on the diagnosis and treatment of AOM and AOE. Current guidelines on antibiotic treatment for AOM and AOE are discussed, including the “watch and wait” approach for AOM in the pediatric population.
- Provider:EB Medicine
- Activity Link: https://www.ebmedicine.net/topics/infectious-disease/urgent-care-ear-infections
- Start Date: 2024-08-01 05:00:00
- End Date: 2024-08-01 05:00:00
- Credit Details: AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™️: 4.0 hours
- Commercial Support: No
- Activity Type: Enduring Material
- CME Finder Type: Online Learning
- Fee to Participate: Yes
- Measured Outcome: Learner Competence, Learner Knowledge
- Provider Ship: Directly Provided
- Registration: Open to all