Doctor Sunitha's Blog

Hello everyone, idea of starting this blog came from my patients and friends. Myself Dr Sunitha Madhavan working as a Consultant ENT Surgeon in Bangalore ,INDIA .Whenever a patient consults me I explain their condition in detail ,which is difficult during this pandemic ,so whatever details they want to know in detail I blog . Topics I choose are related to diseases of ear nose and throat, including head and neck regions, health and lifestyle, my experiences(medical ) and others request.

Tuesday, February 16, 2021

BLUE EAR DRUM......After recurrent cold or upper respiratory infection

Tympanic membrane( ear drum) appears blue, instead of its normal colour due to various causes.

HEMOTYMPANUM is a condition where blood collects behind the ear drum due to fracture or head injury or any blood disorders.

Other common cases are due to 1)INFECTION ( rhinosinusitis, ie affecting nose and sinuses)

2) NASAL ALLERGY which lead on to Eustachian tube block( which connects nose and ear)

3) EUSTACHIAN TUBE BLOCK ( in children due to adenoiditis or other lesions)

4) BAROTRAUMA

The features of fluid in the middle ear( behind tympanic membrane) are ear fullness, hearing loss, ringing sound, and sometimes imbalance. Ear drum appears dull, retracted and fluid may be there sometimes and it appears blue.

Treated by certain manoeuvres ,medically, and if it's a chronic problem causing hearing loss, has to be treated surgically.