OTALGIA

LOCAL CAUSES

• External ear - Furuncle, impacted wax , otitis externa,

otomycosis, myringitis bullosa, herpes zoster, malignant
neoplasm.

• Middle ear - AOM, eustachian tube obstruction,

mastoiditis, extradural abscess, carcinoma
middle ear
REFERRED CAUSES
1) Via Vth cranial nerve:
Tooth caries, apical abscess, malocclusion, impacted
molar
Oral cavity- Benign or malignant ulcerative lesions of oral
cavity or tongue
TMJ.disorders-Bruxism,osteoarthritis,recurrent
dislocation
Sphenopalatine neuralgia
2) Via IXth cranial nerve –
 Oropharynx- Acute tonsillitis, peritonsillar abscess, tonsillectomy
Base of tongue- TB or malignancy
Elongated styloid process

3) Via Xth cranial nerve- Malignancy or ulcerative lesions of

vallecula, epiglottis, larynx and oesophagus.

4) Via C2 and C3- Cervical spondylosis, injuries of cervical

spine and caries spine.

PSYCHOGENIC CAUSES

• No cause has been discovered

• Patient kept under observation
• Periodic re-evaluation