Ear infection, middle ear

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Video

Video: Why middle ear infections are difficult to diagnose

By Mayo Clinic staff

Transcript

Jay Hoecker, M.D., Mayo Clinic pediatrician

Middle ear infections are sometimes difficult to diagnose because the doctor can determine with relative certainty that there is fluid in the middle ear — which doesn't normally have fluid. But that doctor cannot be certain that that fluid is infected. Being certain that the fluid is infected would require sampling that fluid, which cannot be done with an infant or child awake on the examining table.

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  • See Also

    • Hand Scheduled
    Section Focus
  • Swimmer's ear

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References
  1. Otitis media (acute). The Merck Manuals: The Merck Manual for Healthcare Professionals. http://www.merck.com/mmpe/sec08/ch087/ch087d.html#CIHBCJDI. Accessed Feb. 27, 2009.
  2. Hoecker JL (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. March 5, 2009.
  3. Wald ER. Diagnosis of acute otitis media. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Feb. 27, 2009.

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April 24, 2009

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