Ear: Impacted Cerumen

Question 1

What is the pathophysiology of impacted cerumen?

Answer 1

overproduction of wax, use of q-tip pushes it back into canal, causing plug to form, decreases hearing

Question 2

What are the risk factors of impacted cerumen?

Answer 2

overproduction of wax, Q-tips, narrow/twisted ear canal, age

Question 3

What is the clinical presentation of impacted cerumen?

Answer 3

loss of hearing or impairment

Question 4

What is a common history of impacted cerumen?

Answer 4

previous wax impaction, overproduction of cerumen

Question 5

What would be the PE findings of impacted cerumen?

Answer 5

copious cerumen, loss of visibility of TM

Question 6

What is the treatment for impacted cerumen?

Answer 6

remove wax
irrigate
suction,
collage or H202 solutions

Question 7

what would be a complication of impacted cerumen?

Answer 7

veritgo