Differential Diagnosis for Right Sharp Ear Pain
- Single most likely diagnosis
- Acute Otitis Media (AOM): The patient's symptoms of sharp ear pain, retracted tympanic membrane, and redness are classic for AOM. The fact that the patient has been taking Ceftin (an antibiotic) for four days and still has symptoms suggests that the infection may be resistant or not fully treated.
- Other Likely diagnoses
- Otitis Externa: The patient's sharp ear pain and redness could also be consistent with otitis externa, especially if the patient has been swimming or exposing their ear to water. However, the retracted tympanic membrane is more suggestive of AOM.
- Eustachian Tube Dysfunction: The patient's retracted tympanic membrane could also be consistent with Eustachian tube dysfunction, which can cause ear pain and fullness.
- Earwax Impaction: The patient's sharp ear pain could be caused by an earwax impaction, especially if the earwax is pushing against the eardrum.
- Do Not Miss (ddxs that may not be likely, but would be deadly if missed.)
- Mastoiditis: Although less likely, mastoiditis is a serious complication of AOM that can occur if the infection spreads to the mastoid bone. It requires prompt treatment to prevent serious complications.
- Petrous Apicitis: This is a rare but serious complication of AOM that can occur if the infection spreads to the petrous apex of the temporal bone. It requires prompt treatment to prevent serious complications.
- Ramsay Hunt Syndrome: This is a rare but serious condition that can cause ear pain, facial weakness, and vesicles in the ear. It is caused by the varicella-zoster virus and requires prompt treatment to prevent serious complications.
- Rare diagnoses
- Relapsing Polychondritis: This is a rare autoimmune disorder that can cause ear pain, redness, and swelling. It is often associated with other systemic symptoms such as fever and arthritis.
- Wegener's Granulomatosis: This is a rare autoimmune disorder that can cause ear pain, hearing loss, and other systemic symptoms such as sinusitis and kidney disease.