Tympanic membrane rupture
Background
- Blunt trauma (hand blow to ear, fall, direct hit)
- Penetrating trauma (Q-tip, matchstick, gunshot wound, welding spark)
- Direct ear trauma
- Barotrauma
- Blast injury
- Air travel
- Scuba diving
Clinical Features
Differential Diagnosis
Workup
Management
- Isolated small tympanic membrane perforations
- Antibiotic ear drops for contaminated wounds
- Water precautions (keeping water out of the middle ear)
- Reevaluation
- Significant hearing loss (≥40 dB), vertigo, nystagmus, ataxia, or facial nerve injury
- Urgent evaluation by ENT