Otalgia

Otalgia is ear pain.

Otalgia may result from an ear disorder (eg, inflammation or infection of the pinna, external auditory canal, tympanic membrane, or middle ear). Eustachian tube obstruction may cause painful retraction of the tympanic membrane. Otalgia may result from pain referred along neural pathways, including the trigeminal, glossopharyngeal, vagal, and cervical nerves. Malocclusion resulting from poorly fitting dentures may trigger pain in the temporomandibular joint, which may be referred to the ear. Bruxism (grinding the teeth during sleep or stress) may cause temporomandibular joint pain and thus otalgia. Patients with tumors of the head and neck may present with referred otalgia.

If an otic source is not identified, the head and neck--particularly the nasopharynx, hypopharynx, base of the tongue, and tonsillar fossae--must be examined. Depending on the patient's history and examination findings, contrast-enhanced CT to evaluate the skull base, temporomandibular joints, and neck is indicated to exclude occult causes of pain. Treatment depends on cause.

This topic was last updated June 2006.