What diagnosis is indicated by 1-2 days of ear pain, pruritus, auricular discharge, and pain with tug test?

Prepare for the PAEA Pediatrics EOR Exam. Study with flashcards and multiple-choice questions, each question has hints and explanations. Ace your exam!

The diagnosis indicated by 1-2 days of ear pain, pruritus, auricular discharge, and pain with a tug test is otitis externa. This condition, often referred to as "swimmer's ear," typically presents with symptoms such as ear pain, itching, and discharge from the ear canal. The pain from tugging on the auricle (the outer ear) is a key indicator of this condition, as it suggests that the irritation or infection is localized to the ear canal rather than deeper structures.

The acute nature of the symptoms (1-2 days of pain) aligns with otitis externa rather than other types of ear infections which may have different presentations or time frames. In otitis media, for instance, one would expect a more systemic presentation with potential fever and often more severe pain originating from the middle ear, not necessarily accompanied by puritus or discharge unless there are complications. Chronic otitis media would involve a longer duration and often includes a history of recurrent ear infections. Mastoiditis typically presents after an untreated ear infection and would likely involve systemic symptoms or display a more significant clinical picture of infection.

Given the specific symptoms and their timeline, otitis externa is the most accurate diagnosis in this scenario.

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