Differential Diagnosis for Ear Pain with Ruptured Eardrum
- Single Most Likely Diagnosis
- Otitis Media: This is the most common cause of a ruptured eardrum, resulting from a middle ear infection that leads to increased pressure and eventual perforation of the eardrum.
- Other Likely Diagnoses
- Trauma: Direct trauma to the ear, such as a slap to the ear or insertion of objects into the ear canal, can cause a ruptured eardrum.
- Eustachian Tube Dysfunction: Dysfunction of the Eustachian tube, which regulates air pressure in the ear, can lead to increased pressure and rupture of the eardrum.
- Barotrauma: Sudden changes in air pressure, such as during air travel or scuba diving, can cause a ruptured eardrum.
- Do Not Miss Diagnoses
- Malignant Otitis Externa: A severe infection of the outer ear and skull base, which can be life-threatening if not promptly treated.
- Cholesteatoma: A type of skin cyst in the middle ear that can cause destruction of surrounding bone and tissue, leading to serious complications.
- Temporal Bone Fracture: A fracture of the temporal bone, which can cause a ruptured eardrum and potentially lead to more severe complications, such as facial paralysis or meningitis.
- Rare Diagnoses
- Otosclerosis: A rare condition in which abnormal bone growth in the middle ear causes hearing loss and can lead to a ruptured eardrum.
- Relapsing Polychondritis: A rare autoimmune disorder that can cause inflammation and destruction of cartilage in the ear, leading to a ruptured eardrum.
- Granulomatosis with Polyangiitis (formerly known as Wegener's Granulomatosis): A rare autoimmune disorder that can cause inflammation and destruction of blood vessels, including those in the ear, leading to a ruptured eardrum.