Name of the Condition

• Chronic Atticoantral Suppurative Otitis Media, Left Ear
• Medical terms: Chronic suppurative otitis media with atticoantral disease

Summary

Chronic atticoantral suppurative otitis media is a persistent ear infection affecting the middle ear and mastoid cavity, often resulting in the discharge from the ear and hearing difficulties. This particular entry refers to the condition affecting the left ear.

Causes

The condition is often due to persistent infections resulting from blockages in the Eustachian tube, previous acute ear infections, or congenital anomalies affecting ear structure.

Risk Factors

• Repeated ear infections in early childhood
• Upper respiratory tract infections
• Environmental factors like poor air quality or exposure to tobacco smoke
• Anatomical defects such as a perforated eardrum

Symptoms

• Persistent ear discharge
• Hearing loss in the affected ear
• Earache or discomfort
• Tinnitus or ringing in the ear

Diagnosis

• Otoscopic examination to check for discharge and eardrum perforation
• Audiometry tests to assess hearing loss
• Imaging studies like CT scans to evaluate the extent of infection or damage

Treatment Options

• Antibiotic ear drops to control infection
• Aural toilet to keep the ear clean
• Surgery, such as tympanoplasty or mastoidectomy, to repair the eardrum and remove diseased mastoid air cells

Prognosis and Follow-Up

Timely and appropriate treatment typically results in good outcomes, though some hearing loss might persist. Regular follow-ups are crucial to monitor ear health and prevent recurrent infections.

Complications

• Spread of infection to nearby structures, leading to mastoiditis or intracranial complications
• Permanent hearing loss
• Formation of cholesteatoma, a destructive and expanding growth in the ear

Lifestyle & Prevention

• Avoiding exposure to tobacco smoke
• Promptly treating upper respiratory infections
• Ensuring good ear hygiene

When to Seek Professional Help

Seek immediate medical attention if there is severe ear pain, high fever, or symptoms suggesting the infection has spread beyond the ear.

Additional Resources

• American Academy of Otolaryngology: https://www.entnet.org
• Hearing Health Foundation: https://hearinghealthfoundation.org

Tips for Medical Coders

• Ensure the specificity of the condition by noting it affects the left ear, coded as H66.22.
• Verify the chronicity and type of otitis media for accurate coding.
• Avoid common errors like coding acute versions of the condition or omitting laterality.