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Ency. home > Test > E > Ear drainage culture

Ear drainage culture    See images

Overview | Risks | Results

Alternative names:

Culture - ear drainage

Definition:

This is a laboratory test to identify organisms that cause ear infections.

How the Test is Performed

A sample of ear drainage either from the outer ear or middle ear is placed on culture media for the purpose of growing microorganisms (bacteria, fungus, or viruses) in the laboratory, which will later be identified.

The microbiologist inspects the cultures daily for growth. If microorganisms are detected, other tests may be initiated to determine the sensitivity of the organism to medications (sensitivity analysis). Antibiotic therapy can then be determined based on these results.

How to Prepare for the Test

There is no preparation.

How the Test will Feel

The specimen will be collected from a cotton swab placed gently inside the outer ear canal. No pain is associated with the test. However, ear pain may be present already if infection is suspected.

If a myringotomy (surgical opening of the eardrum) is performed for relief of a painful, bulging tympanic membrane in otitis media, fluid will be collected at this time. Rarely, a needle may be inserted through the tympanic membrane (eardrum) to obtain a sample of the fluid from the middle ear.

Why the Test is Performed

The test may be performed for an infection of the outer ear (see otitis externa; acute), as a routine part of myringotomy, otitis media with ruptured eardrum and draining fluid, and otitis media not responding to treatment. Most ear infections are diagnosed by clinical symptoms rather than by obtaining a culture.

Ency. home > Test > E > Ear drainage culture

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