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An ear drainage culture is a laboratory test to check for infection-causing substances in a sample of fluid, pus, wax, or blood from the ear.
See also: Ear drainage
Alternative NamesCulture - ear drainage
How the test is performedA sample of ear drainage is needed. Your health care provider will use a cotton swab to collect the sample from inside the outer ear canal. In some cases, a sample is collected from the middle ear during ear surgery.
The sample is sent to a laboratory and placed on a special dish (culture media).
The lab team checks the dish every day to see if bacteria, fungi, or viruses have grown. Further tests may be done to specifically identify any substances and determine the best treatment.
How to prepare for the testNo preparation is needed for a lab culture.
How the test will feelNo pain is associated with using a cotton swab to take a sample of drainage from the outer ear. However, ear pain may be present if the ear is infected.
Ear surgery is performed under general anesthesia, which means you are asleep and feel no pain. See: myringotomy.
Why the test is performedThe test may be done if you or your child has:
- An ear infection that is not responding to treatment
- An infection of the outer ear (otitis externa)
- An ear infection with a ruptured eardrum and draining fluid
It may also be done as a routine part of myringotomy.
Note: Ear infections are diagnosed based on symptoms rather than using a culture.
Normal ValuesThe test is normal if there is no growth on the culture.
Note: Normal value ranges may vary slightly among different laboratories. Talk to your doctor about the meaning of your specific test results.
What abnormal results meanAbnormal results may be a sign of infection by bacteria, virus, or fungus.
The test results may reveal which specific organism is causing the infection and help your doctor decide on appropriate treatment.
What the risks areNo risks are involved with swabbing the ear canal. For risks related to ear surgery, see myringotomy.
Special considerationsEar drainage culture is usually not done because of contamination concerns and difficulty linking a bacteria to the infection. Normal bacteria will likely grow on the ear fluid sent for culture.
An ear drainage culture is a laboratory test to check for infection-causing substances in a sample of fluid, pus, wax, or blood from the ear.
See also: Ear drainage
Alternative NamesCulture - ear drainage
How the test is performedA sample of ear drainage is needed. Your health care provider will use a cotton swab to collect the sample from inside the outer ear canal. In some cases, a sample is collected from the middle ear during ear surgery.
The sample is sent to a laboratory and placed on a special dish (culture media).
The lab team checks the dish every day to see if bacteria, fungi, or viruses have grown. Further tests may be done to specifically identify any substances and determine the best treatment.
How to prepare for the testNo preparation is needed for a lab culture.
How the test will feelNo pain is associated with using a cotton swab to take a sample of drainage from the outer ear. However, ear pain may be present if the ear is infected.
Ear surgery is performed under general anesthesia, which means you are asleep and feel no pain. See: myringotomy.
Why the test is performedThe test may be done if you or your child has:
- An ear infection that is not responding to treatment
- An infection of the outer ear (otitis externa)
- An ear infection with a ruptured eardrum and draining fluid
It may also be done as a routine part of myringotomy.
Note: Ear infections are diagnosed based on symptoms rather than using a culture.
Normal ValuesThe test is normal if there is no growth on the culture.
Note: Normal value ranges may vary slightly among different laboratories. Talk to your doctor about the meaning of your specific test results.
What abnormal results meanAbnormal results may be a sign of infection by bacteria, virus, or fungus.
The test results may reveal which specific organism is causing the infection and help your doctor decide on appropriate treatment.
What the risks areNo risks are involved with swabbing the ear canal. For risks related to ear surgery, see myringotomy.
Special considerationsEar drainage culture is usually not done because of contamination concerns and difficulty linking a bacteria to the infection. Normal bacteria will likely grow on the ear fluid sent for culture.
ReferencesNeil K. Kaneshiro, MD, MHA, Clinical Assistant Professor of Pediatrics, University of Washington School of Medicine. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc. Reviewed ByReview Date: 07/26/2010
Daniel Levy, MD, PhD, Infectious Diseases, Greater Baltimore Medical Center, Baltimore, MD. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.
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What is the purpose of ear drainage?
Ear drainage is a process that involves scopes and such to completely clean out the ear of any wax and dry particles that may be trapped in the ear canals or along the surrounding walls.
How do you make a sentence with drainage in the sentence?
lots of drainage coming out through my ear canal.
Abnormal drainage from the ear is known as?
otorrhea
What is a good way to treat babies ear drainage?
Most ear drainage is wax and requires no treatment, other than tilting the ear down to allow the fluid to drain off. Other drainage is more serious and you should probably ask your pediatrician for recommended treatments.
Term meaning inflammation of mastoid cell?
Mastoiditis is the term referring to inflammation of the mastoid cells, which are air cells located behind the ear. This condition is commonly caused by a bacterial infection spreading from the middle ear. Symptoms can include ear pain, swelling behind the ear, fever, and drainage from the ear. Treatment typically involves antibiotics and sometimes surgical drainage.
What are the symptoms of perforated eardrum?
An earache or pain in the ear, which may be severe, or a sudden decrease in ear pain, followed by ear drainage of clear, bloody, or pus-filled fluid, hearing loss, or ear noise/buzzing.
What is the purpose of the auditory tube opening into the nasopharynx?
To permit drainage away from the ear drum membrane.
Is ear drainage a symptom of an ear infection?
It depends what kind of drainage it is. Anything other than a small amount of wax or water resulting from your shower or swimming should probably be seen by a doctor for proper diagnosis and treatment.
Can tinnitus occur with no ear wax drainage?
Tinnitus is a recurrent nerve-related twitch in the ear! It can be treated with: 'Ginkgo Biloba'( available from most Health Shops )!
What are symptoms of advanced mastoiditis?
The area behind the ear will appear red and swollen, and will be very sore. There may be drainage of pus from the infected ear. Fever is common.
Is it possible for the liquid in your inner ear to escape through your ear canal?
No, the liquid in your inner ear, known as endolymph, is contained within a structure called the labyrinth and does not escape through the ear canal. If you experience drainage from your ear, it may be due to another issue such as earwax build-up, infection, or a perforated eardrum.
What is connected to the nasopharynx by the auditory or eustachian tube?
The middle ear is connected to the nasopharynx by the auditory (eustachian) tube. This tube helps equalize pressure between the middle ear and the atmosphere and allows for drainage of fluids from the middle ear to the back of the throat.
