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The use of tympanocentesis in the diagnosis and management of acute otitis media

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Abstract

Acute otitis media (AOM), when associated with a bulging or full tympanic membrane, has a bacterial etiology in more than 90% of cases. Not infrequently, the organisms present express resistance mechanisms to commonly prescribed antibiotic therapy. Tympanocentesis is a procedure advocated by several national guidelines for use in selected patients not clinically responding to antimicrobial treatment. In this paper we discuss the use of tympanocentesis as a tool to track pathogen shifts and to guide antibiotic selection. We detail the indications for tympanocentesis, compare guidelines endorsing the procedure, and describe how to implement a technique for use in the primary care setting. The pros and cons of using tympanocentesis in clinical trial designs are also presented.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. University of Rochester Medical Center, Elmwood Pediatric Group, 601 Elmwood Avenue, Box 672, 14642, Rochester, NY, USA

    Michael E. Pichichero MD

Authors
  1. Michael E. Pichichero MD
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  2. Tracy Wright RN, MS, FNP
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Correspondence to Michael E. Pichichero MD.

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Pichichero, M.E., Wright, T. The use of tympanocentesis in the diagnosis and management of acute otitis media. Curr Infect Dis Rep 8, 189–195 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11908-006-0058-9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11908-006-0058-9

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