Ear drainage culture

定义

An ear drainage culture is a lab test. This test checks for germs that can cause infection. The sample taken for this test can contain fluid, pus, wax, or blood from the ear.

Alternative Names

Culture - ear drainage

How the Test is Performed

A 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 lab 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. More tests may be done to look for specific germs and determine the best treatment.

How to Prepare for the Test

You do not need to prepare for this test.

How the Test will Feel

Using a cotton swab to take a sample of drainage from the outer ear is not painful. 然而, 耳朵疼痛 may be present if the ear is infected.

耳朵手术 is done using general anesthesia. You will be asleep and feel no pain.

Why the Test is Performed

The test may be done if you or your child has:

• An ear infection that is not getting better with treatment
• An infection of the outer ear (外耳炎)
• An ear infection with a ruptured eardrum and draining fluid

It may also be done as a routine part of 鼓膜切开术.

Note: Ear infections are diagnosed based on symptoms rather than using a culture.

正常的结果

The test is normal if there is no growth on the culture.

Normal value ranges may vary slightly among different laboratories. Talk to your provider about the meaning of your specific test results.

What Abnormal Results Mean

Abnormal results may be a sign of an infection. The infection can be caused by bacteria, virus, or fungus.

The test results may show which organism is causing the infection. It will help your provider decide on the right treatment.

风险

No risks are involved with swabbing the ear canal. 耳朵手术 may involve some risks.

参考文献

水斗式硅. Otitis externa, otitis media, and mastoiditis. In: Bennett JE, Dolin R, Blaser MJ, eds. Mandell, Douglas, and Bennett's Principles and Practice of Infectious Diseases. 9日艾德. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 61.

玩家B. 耳痛. In: Kliegman RM, Toth H, Bordini BJ, Basel D, eds. Nelson Pediatric Symptom-Based Diagnosis. 第二版. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2023:chap 5.

Schilder AGM, Rosenfeld RM, Venekamp RP. Acute otitis media and otitis media with effusion. In: Flint PW, Francis HW, Haughey BH, et al, eds. Cummings Otolaryngology: Head and Neck Surgery. 7日艾德. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2021:chap 199.