Cervical spine causes for referred otalgia.
OBJECTIVE
Present experience in diagnosis and treatment for referred otalgia secondary to cervical spine degenerative disease (CSDD).


METHODS
A retrospective study of 123 patients with ear pain.


METHODS
All patients had a normal otologic examination and diagnosed with unspecified otalgia. The causes for referred otalgia were categorized into Group I: otalgia from non-cervical spine disease (n = 72), and Group II: cervical spine disease-referred otalgia (n = 51). Pain relief following cervical spine physical therapy (CSPT) was assessed.


RESULTS
The most common cause for referred otalgia in Group I was Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) dysfunction (46%); most common cervical spine finding in Group II was CSDD (88%). CSPT in those documented patients all reported subjective pain relief.


CONCLUSIONS
As the population in America ages, CSDD in the elderly will begin to emerge as a major etiologic source for referred otalgia. With a targeted medical history and physical examination one can use directed studies to diagnose CSDD-referred otalgia, and this pain can be alleviated with CSPT.
Jaber
James J
JJ
Loyola University Medical Center, Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Maywood, IL 60153, USA.
Leonetti
John P
JP
Lawrason
Amy E
AE
Feustel
Paul J
PJ
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000465:Algorithms; D002574:Cervical Vertebrae; D004433:Earache / Q000209:etiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D019547:Neck Pain / Q000150:complications; D053591:Referred Pain / Q000209:etiology*; D010808:Physical Examination; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013122:Spinal Diseases / Q000150:complications*; D013705:Temporomandibular Joint Disorders / Q000150:complications