Evaluation of secondary otalgia
Reviewed by Sunil Sharma

This Turkish prospective study of 200 patients looked at the pain characteristics of secondary otalgia related to temporomandibular disorders (TMD) and cervical region disorders (CRD), and how they can affect diagnostics. Patients were included if they were >18 years of age and diagnosed with secondary otalgia if they complained of ear pain in the presence of a normal ear examination. Based on a standardised examination and questionnaire, the patients were allocated into three groups: CRD group (47.5%), TMD group (46%), and mixed group (6.5%). The most notable finding was that TMD patients were more likely to complain of inner (51.3%) and anterior ear pain (40.8%, p<0.05), whilst CRD patients were more likely to complain of postauricular ear pain (47.6%, p<0.05). However, they did not find any other characteristics that helped to differentiate causes for secondary otalgia. Secondary otalgia is a common ENT presentation in clinic, and this study somewhat helps find factors that may direct the clinician towards possible causes, but the authors do conclude that the most important component of evaluating these patients is a detailed history and examination.

Evaluating secondary otalgia pain related to the TMJ and cervical region.
Korkmaz MO, Kara A, Guven M.
B-ENT
2019;15:13-8.