Medical Information - ENT - Otorrhea

ENT's series: Otorrhea

Ear discharge usually means an infection although certain people with wet wax can present with a brownish discharge which requires no treatment. External and middle ear infections can produce discharge. External ear infections produce a liquid, creamy discharge (figure 1) while middle ear infection has a mucoid consistency and is foul-smelling (especially in cholesteatoma).

Trauma to the external ear canal can result in blood-stained or bloody discharge which can be persistent and profuse.

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