Poor kid, Crazy

[Fishsizzle]

So an employee at works kid has suffered from “ear wax” blockage for years. They have been to numerous ENT dr and no one could get it out. They tried dissolving it, sedating her to try and get a small spiral drill in there but it broke off.

Poor kid just couldn’t handle the pain and was now deaf. The went to another ENT today and they ordered a CT scan. He sent them to ER right away to get an MRI because they said she can’t wait for an appointment.

Turns out this is a tumor in her ear! And now will travel to OHSU to get it removed ASAP.

Look at the left side, open, right side the big white mass. Thankfully it hasn’t reached into her brain.

[kksfish]

Wow! Remind me not to ever go to the first Doc who confused a tumor with ear wax!

[Fishsizzle]

Originally Posted by kksfish

Wow! Remind me not to ever go to the first Doc who confused a tumor with ear wax!

What’s crazy was it was more than 1 DR who said it was wax. Several did and just gave up

[92xj]

That's is crazy and sure makes for a loss of confidence in doctors. Clearly all aren't the same but us average Joe's have no idea which is better until something like his happens.
Good luck to the little gal and hope everything goes great!

[Fishsizzle]

Originally Posted by 92xj

That's is crazy and sure makes for a loss of confidence in doctors. Clearly all aren't the same but us average Joe's have no idea which is better until something like his happens.
Good luck to the little gal and hope everything goes great!

Thanks, she’s a nice young lady.

It was odd as I was talking with a client whom we are all close to about it and he said right away it was a tumor. He is a retired lawyer and has 2 cases in his day with same instances, Dr thought it was earwax, and it turned out to be a tumor. He said, “it’s always a tumor” if they can’t get it out first try.

[JRTJH]

While I suppose anything is possible, I don't understand how someone examining the tympanic membrane could confuse what's OUTSIDE the TM with something INSIDE the TM... If the tympanic membrane is visible, it can't be "earwax". The ear doesn't produce "earwax" on the inside of the TM. AND: If the TM isn't visible, it's abnormal anatomy and needs CT exam to diagnose why the auditory canal is blocked.

Sure sounds like a "multiple ball drop diagnosis" to me. Hopefully she'll be OK and it's not a malignant tumor..... These next few months won't be fun for her or her family. Here's hoping for a good outcome !!!!!

[Fishsizzle]

Originally Posted by JRTJH

While I suppose anything is possible, I don't understand how someone examining the tympanic membrane could confuse what's OUTSIDE the TM with something INSIDE the TM... If the tympanic membrane is visible, it can't be "earwax". The ear doesn't produce "earwax" on the inside of the TM. AND: If the TM isn't visible, it's abnormal anatomy and needs CT exam to diagnose why the auditory canal is blocked.

Sure sounds like a "multiple ball drop diagnosis" to me. Hopefully she'll be OK and it's not a malignant tumor..... These next few months won't be fun for her or her family. Here's hoping for a good outcome !!!!!

I agree. When her mom has been relating the saga for the last year to us, we were stymied as how someone could let their ear get that bad.

They went in and tried digging it out several times. Like I mentioned even sedated her. They couldn’t get to far into it because even sedated it was to painful. They sent her home with a prescription for a liquid to dissolve it. Obviously I didn’t work. Poor Girl had to go deaf in the ear before someone dig a little deeper.

I will say this, I do believe that we are judged on our appearance. This young girl had made her hair into dreadlocks and dressed rather shabby. She looked like she could use a bath. I do believe it played a part in how DR thought of her and what to do.

[ctbruce]

Originally Posted by JRTJH

While I suppose anything is possible, I don't understand how someone examining the tympanic membrane could confuse what's OUTSIDE the TM with something INSIDE the TM... If the tympanic membrane is visible, it can't be "earwax". The ear doesn't produce "earwax" on the inside of the TM. AND: If the TM isn't visible, it's abnormal anatomy and needs CT exam to diagnose why the auditory canal is blocked.



Sure sounds like a "multiple ball drop diagnosis" to me. Hopefully she'll be OK and it's not a malignant tumor..... These next few months won't be fun for her or her family. Here's hoping for a good outcome !!!!!

Maybe they had the CAT PICTURE upside down and couldnt tell the inside from the outside. Or not?

[Fishsizzle]

Originally Posted by ctbruce

Maybe they had the CAT PICTURE upside down and couldnt tell the inside from the outside. Or not?

The first CT pic that anyone ordered was yesterday; and the ENT told them to run to ER for MRI. No one ever ordered any scans for previous visits. Even though pus and blood came out when then tried removing it before.

[JRTJH]

Originally Posted by Fishsizzle

The first CT pic that anyone ordered was yesterday; and the ENT told them to run to ER for MRI. No one ever ordered any scans for previous visits. Even though pus and blood came out when then tried removing it before.

That's astounding. I don't want to jump to place blame, so, "just WOW" !!!!!

And to a previous comment: People with dirty clothes and dreadlocks have the same anatomy as everyone else, so treat the disease, not the patient's appearance... Again, WOW, just WOW !!!

[Fishsizzle]

Originally Posted by JRTJH

That's astounding. I don't want to jump to place blame, so, "just WOW" !!!!!

And to a previous comment: People with dirty clothes and dreadlocks have the same anatomy as everyone else, so treat the disease, not the patient's appearance... Again, WOW, just WOW !!!

I agree. I’m gosmacked for sure over it. And I really believe they just took one look her and didn’t care.

Our worker took her to ER and the administration person and the DR she saw BOTH had the same tumor condition resolved years ago! Insane!

[Fishsizzle]

Update: Surgery went well. They still have no idea what this thing is. Substantial hearing loss. Till I see mom I won’t know exactly what happened and if she will get her hearing back

[chuckster57]

Our prayers and thoughts go out to this young lady. Wishing for all the best and a positive outcome.