Cervical spine causes for referred otalgia

Area of Science:

• Otolaryngology
• Orthopedics
• Neurology

Background:

• Referred otalgia, or ear pain originating from another source, is a common clinical complaint.
• Normal otologic examinations in patients with otalgia necessitate investigation into non-otologic causes.
• Cervical spine degenerative disease (CSDD) is increasingly recognized as a potential source of referred otalgia, particularly in aging populations.

Purpose of the Study:

• To present experience in the diagnosis and treatment of referred otalgia secondary to CSDD.
• To evaluate the efficacy of cervical spine physical therapy (CSPT) in alleviating CSDD-referred otalgia.

Main Methods:

• A retrospective study involving 123 patients diagnosed with unspecified otalgia and normal otologic findings.
• Patients were categorized into two groups: Group I (non-CSDD causes, n=72) and Group II (CSDD-referred otalgia, n=51).
• Pain relief following CSPT was assessed in patients with CSDD-referred otalgia.

Main Results:

• Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) dysfunction was the most frequent cause of referred otalgia in Group I (46%).
• CSDD was the predominant cervical spine finding in Group II (88%).
• All patients in Group II who underwent CSPT reported subjective pain relief.

Conclusions:

• CSDD is an emerging and significant etiologic factor for referred otalgia, especially in the elderly.
• A targeted medical history and physical examination can aid in diagnosing CSDD-referred otalgia.
• CSPT offers an effective treatment modality for alleviating pain associated with CSDD-referred otalgia.