What Causes Hemotympanum?
Hemotympanum is a condition that occurs when blood is inside the middle ear, trapped near the eardrum. This leads to symptoms like having trouble hearing and feeling pain or pressure inside the ear. There are many different causes of hemotympanum. When a patient is diagnosed with this condition, the doctor will typically investigate the cause so as to treat the patient appropriately. Diagnosing the cause of hemotympanum is often based on the accompanying symptoms, and the doctor must take into account whether the patient has recently experienced any injuries. Medications and diseases are also potential causes of hemotympanum. Often, head scans and hearing tests are done as diagnostic procedures.
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Certain Bleeding Disorders
Certain bleeding disorders can cause hemotympanum if they are not diagnosed or treated. Some examples of these bleeding disorders are hemophilia and thrombocytopenic purpura. Hemophilia is a genetic blood disorder that causes a lack of clotting factors in the blood, and thrombocytopenic purpura is a disease of the immune system. These diseases cause the blood to be unable to clot. This increases the risk of bleeding into the ears. If someone with hemophilia sneezes, they may start bleeding and get hemotympanum. These disorders are very serious, but there is not much a doctor can do about them besides check up on the patient every now and then.
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Blood-Thinning Medication
Blood-thinning medication, also referred to as anticoagulants, is another potential source of hemotympanum. This type of medication is usually taken to prevent blood clots. Patients on blood thinners are often at an increased risk of stroke, heart attack, and other life-threatening medical conditions. Blood-thinning medications can be life-saving. However, bleeding is an unfortunately common side effect. Patients who take anticoagulants risk bleeding into their ears and getting hemotympanum. To decrease the risk of bleeding, anticoagulants should not be taken with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatories, antiplatelet drugs, or selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors. Patients should also avoid consuming gingko and large amounts of garlic while they are taking blood thinners.
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Basal Skull Fracture
A basal skull fracture is a bone break that happens somewhere at the base of the skull. If the skull fractures near the ear, blood can leak from the wound into the ear canal. Besides bleeding into the ear canal, the symptoms of a basal skull fracture include leaking of the brain fluid, bruises near the ears or eyes, and problems with sensation in the face. Most of the time, a skull fracture is diagnosed through a CT scan. Patients do not usually receive treatment for skull fractures because the bone heals on its own without intervention. However, if there is continued bleeding or leaking from the wound, surgery might be recommended. It is important for a doctor to thoroughly examine the wound. Sometimes brain damage occurs when individuals fracture their skulls. If there is no brain damage, all that is required is rest and pain medication while the wound heals.
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Frequent Ear Infections
Frequent ear infections are yet another potential cause of hemotympanum. This is because ear infections cause the tissue inside the ear to become inflamed and irritated. The infections also cause the ear canal to become clogged with fluid, which can lead to bleeding on the inside of the ear. The blood can accumulate over time and can become trapped behind the eardrum. The treatment for ear infections typically consists of antibiotics. These antibiotics may be oral or they may come in the form of liquid drops administered inside of the ear. Some patients have persistent ear infections that seem to recur no matter what medications are prescribed. These patients may want to ask their doctors about longer-lasting treatments like ear surgery.
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Nasal Packing
Nasal packing means putting cotton or gauze inside the nose. This is most often done after a patient has surgery on or around their nose. For example, packing is a common practice done after a rhinoplasty. It is also used for individuals who suffer from frequent nosebleeds. Sometimes tape is used to keep the cotton or gauze secure inside of the nostrils. Often, antibiotics are applied to the cotton or gauze to prevent infections. Hemotympanum is a rare complication of nasal packing, but it can still occur. When this does happen, it is often related to an ear or sinus infection that results from the nasal packing.