A system of practical medicine. By American authors. Vol. 4

by Unknown

OBJECTIVE SYMPTOMS.—More or less swelling of the external canal, while the constant passage of purulent fluids over the skin results in exfoliation of its epithelial layer and a subsequent weeping from the skin tissue. The secretion varies from an abundant discharge to a minimum of a few drops per day. It may be watery or muco-purulent, or of a thick, creamy, tenacious consistence. Odor is common, and if the bone is involved of a most disagreeable character. The perforation in the tympanic membrane may vary in size from that of a pin-head to a loss of the greater part of the entire membrane; also, the membrane is found thickened, with an occasional calcareous deposit in its fibrous layer. Granulations and polypoid growths are found in the external canal and middle-ear cavity. The mucous membrane of the naso-pharynx will show the various changes that are found associated with the different diseases that cause this complication.

DIAGNOSIS.—This is without difficulty as a rule. The discharge, the perforation that often can be seen, the whistling caused by the air being forced through the middle ear and the perforation in the tympanic membrane by the Valsalva or Politzer method of inflation, are very significant of middle-ear suppuration. The pulsation often noticed at the bottom of the external auditory canal, and which has been considered indicative of perforation, is caused by a thin surface of fluid in contact with a pulsating blood-vessel, and therefore is not necessarily a sign of perforation of the tympanic membrane, as fluids are found in the external auditory canal from inflammation of its coats, and in such a case pulsation might occur; but this is but seldom the case, and the removal of the fluid would remove any doubt as to whether the fluid was a result of external-ear inflammation or caused by purulent middle-ear disease.

The course of a chronic purulent inflammation is very variable. In many cases under proper treatment healing and restoration of tissue go on rapidly. The secretion grows daily less and of a thicker consistence, and the mucous membrane of the middle ear rapidly returns to a normal condition. The perforation in the tympanic membrane becomes smaller, and often entirely closes, so that in a young person the restoration may be so complete that it is difficult to know where the seat of perforation has been. In one case in my practice in a child of ten years, where the membrane had been destroyed to at least three-fourths of its extent, a full restoration took place. In another class of cases the course is not so favorable. The tympanic membrane is largely destroyed, and is not regenerated. The chain of small bones may be either partly or entirely lost. Granulations form in the mucous membrane of the middle ear, and the bony walls of the tympanum undergo partial necrosis, the pus appearing as an acrid, irritating fluid with more or less odor. The graver complications of purulent inflammation are apt to occur in those cases of chronic purulent inflammation where there has been a stoppage of the free discharge of pus from the middle ear, causing it to collect in the antrum and mastoid cells.

TREATMENT.—The first indication is to cleanse as thoroughly as possible the middle-ear cavity of the muco-purulent fluid that may have collected. This is best accomplished by forcing air up the Eustachian tube and through the middle ear by either the Politzer or Valsalva method of inflation. The fluids thus forced out into the external canal can be removed by the use either of warm water and the syringe if large in amount, or by cotton on a cotton-holder if small in quantity: the latter plan is less irritating, and also completely dries the external canal. No local application ought to be made as long as any pain exists.

The local applications that my experience has shown to give the best results consist of boracic acid and iodoform. (The latter is objectionable on account of its odor.) The powder-insufflator furnishes a convenient method of applying these powders, and only small quantities should be used, so that no possible plugging of the middle ear can take place. Some authorities prefer fluid applications instead of powder. Weak solutions of sulphate of zinc, from one to four grains to the ounce, are frequently used: a few drops, warmed, are poured into the external canal and allowed to remain a short time, and then removed by a twisted tuft of cotton on a cotton-holder. Nitrate-of-silver solutions are to be used on a cotton-holder; and if a very strong solution is used it should be neutralized with salt and water.

The frequency of application of any remedy will depend upon the amount of discharge; but as the discharge lessens, so should the remedy be less frequently applied. The same rule applies to the cleansing of the ear, as I have no doubt that excessive use of the syringe often tends to re-establish and increase the discharge. In some cases, where the discharge has become very small in quantity, a thick scab will form over the tympanic perforation, and restoration of the tympanic membrane will rapidly advance under such a covering, showing that it is good practice not to remove such a scab, provided pus is not thereby prevented from escaping. A cotton plug should always be worn in the external canal of a purulent ear, as it acts as an absorbent of the purulent secretions, as well as protects the middle ear from the irritating contact of the air.

The naso-pharyngeal cavities are to be considered and appropriately treated; also, a general tonic treatment is often indicated.

SEQUELÆ OF PURULENT INFLAMMATION.—I. Brain involvement, either of the meninges or its substance proper: a, purulent meningitis; b, abscess of the brain; c, phlebitis with thrombosis of the sinuses. II. Mastoid disease.

I. Brain Involvement.

It will be proper for a clear understanding of the subject to briefly consider the anatomy of the middle-ear cavity with reference to this complication. The middle-ear cavity is practically surrounded by bony walls, with the exception of the foramen closed by the tympanic membrane and the opening of the Eustachian tube. The roof of the middle ear is of varying thickness, and is perforated by a number of canals for the passage of blood-vessels, forming a direct communication between the circulation of the middle ear and the meninges of the brain; also, the petro-squamous suture in the earlier years of life before complete ossification has set in provides a way for spreading of the inflammatory process from the tympanum to the brain tissue; also, cases are recorded where caries has formed actual openings in this bony roof, through which pus has entered into the brain cavity. The floor of the tympanic cavity is very thin, and forms a fossa in which lies the jugular vein, so that involvement of this vein in the inflammatory process could occur by the close apposition of these parts. The anterior wall is formed in part by the carotid canal, and cases are noted where defects in this bony wall are found. Under such circumstances the coats of the artery would lie in direct contact with the middle-ear membranes. Also, it is to be noted that small twigs from the carotid artery pass through its bony canal and anastomose with vessels of the middle ear, furnishing a way for the spread of inflammation from the middle ear to the carotid artery that may result in thickening of its walls.