Otitis media is inflammation or infection located in the middle ear.
Otitis media is diagnosed in patients with acute onset, presence of middle ear effusion, physical evidence of middle ear inflammation, and symptoms such as pain, irritability, or fever
There are several subtypes of OM, as follows:
Acute OM (AOM)
OM with effusion (OME)
Acute suppurative OM
Chronic OM
Every examination should include an evaluation and description of the following four tympanic membrane (TM) characteristics:
Color – A normal TM is a translucent pale gray; an opaque yellow or blue TM is consistent with middle-ear effusion (MEE). Look for cone of light
Position – In AOM, the TM is usually bulging; in OME, the TM is typically retracted or in the neutral position
Mobility – Impaired mobility is the most consistent finding in patients with OME