Ear Pain / Otalgia - Differential Diagnosis Algorithm

Referred Otaliga:

 • Via Vagus or Glossopharyngeal Nerves

 • Nasopharyngeal, Oropharyngeal, Laryngeal, Hypopharyngeal Pain

 • Thyroiditis

 • Aerodigestive Tract Malignancy

 • Post-tonsillectomy

Periauricular Otaliga:

 • TMJ Pathology

 • Parotiditis

External Auditory Canal:

 • Otitis Externa

 • Osteomyelitis of Temporal Bone

 • Herpes Simplex Zoster (Ramsay Hunt Syndrome if Facial Nerve Paralysis)

 • Furunculosis

Mastoid:

 • Mastoiditis

Auricle:

 • Cellulitis/perichondritis

 • Trauma (Frostbite, Auricular Hematoma)

 • Autoimmune (Relapsing Polychondritis)

Abnormal Tympanic Membrane:

 • Acute Otitis Media

 • Barotrauma

 • Traumatic Perforation

Ulceration/ Abnormal Tissue Growth:

 • Squamous Cell Carcinoma

 • Sarcoma

 • Cholesteatoma (Typically Otorrhea)



#EarPain #Otalgia #Differential #Diagnosis #Algorithm #Causes