The many causes of otalgia. Infection, trauma, cancer.

Otalgia is an interesting symptom that is both common and challenging. The challenge to the initial physician is to combine history-taking and physical-examination skills to make a correct diagnosis. Mild abnormality of the tympanic membrane or ear canal should not be treated with antibiotics for an extended period, because otalgia may be referred from primary carcinoma of the head and neck.