Management of the Child with Otorrhea

Otorrhea is any fluid or discharge from the ear, and can be the result of a number of etiologies. Most commonly, infection in the form of otitis externa is the cause of otorrhea, but other possible etiologies include otitis media in the presence of a tympanic membrane perforation, cholesteatoma, contact dermatitis of the external ear, keratosis obturans, tube otorrhea in a patient with pressure equalization tubes, and CSF otorrhea. Proper management based on adequate diagnosis is the key for successful treatment.