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Salivatory Drainage from Ear

Posted by carlenedd05 @carlenedd05, Sep 8, 2019

I'm 64 yrs. old. When I was 12 I had a total right mastoid due to chronic ear infections. The infection stayed behind the ear drum & destroyed the bones. Not many problems thru the years, yet now has continual drainage from the ear. Two samples have been collected & sent to lab to rule out the drainage being cerebrospinal fluid. Both have come back negative for CSF. The report states it's salivatory in form; apparently some type of drainage from salivary gland. I have a call into the ENT yet waiting to hear from him.....Help

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Moderator
Colleen Young, Connect Director | @colleenyoung | Sep 8, 2019

Hi @carlenedd05, I can imagine that you're worried. We tend to worry most when we have incomplete information. The drainage from you ear could be so many different things. At least now you and your doctor will know that you're dealing with something related to the salivary glands. I'm glad you have called your ENT and you can consult with them.

As you wait to hear from your ENT, you could make note of any other symptoms you might be having. For example, are you experiencing pain anywhere, dry mouth, swelling or fever? Stay hydrated.

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carlenedd05 | @carlenedd05 | Sep 8, 2019

thank you for your reply. I still am having difficulty comprehending how/why the salivary gland is leaking into the ear...

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1 reply
Moderator
Colleen Young, Connect Director | @colleenyoung | Sep 8, 2019
In reply to @carlenedd05 "thank you for your reply. I still am having difficulty comprehending how/why the salivary gland is..." + (show)
@carlenedd05

thank you for your reply. I still am having difficulty comprehending how/why the salivary gland is leaking into the ear...

Jump to this post

I'm no doctor. Could it possibly be because the salivary gland closest to your ear is blocked somehow and the fluid has to take a new route to drain the saliva it is producing? Why and how are certainly the questions I would ask your doctor.

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1 reply
carlenedd05 | @carlenedd05 | Sep 8, 2019
In reply to @colleenyoung "I'm no doctor. Could it possibly be because the salivary gland closest to your ear is..." + (show)
@colleenyoung

I'm no doctor. Could it possibly be because the salivary gland closest to your ear is blocked somehow and the fluid has to take a new route to drain the saliva it is producing? Why and how are certainly the questions I would ask your doctor.

Jump to this post

for sure, I see either CT and or MRI being done...

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Moderator
Lisa Lucier, Moderator | @lisalucier | Sep 9, 2019

Hi, @carlenedd05 - I wanted to add my welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. A few other members who may have some thoughts about the salivary drainage your report shows in your ear are @cromeo112 @nrd1 @sirgalahad @lioness.

Has the drainage interfered at all with your hearing? With your concentration on daily tasks?

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carlenedd05 | @carlenedd05 | Sep 9, 2019

since I had the total mastoid 52 yrs ago, I've never had hearing in the right ear. Concentration possible...

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lioness | @lioness | Sep 9, 2019

@carlenedd05 welcome to connect Thanks Lisa for inviting me to respond. With your post it sounds like it an inner ear problem leaking from the ear drum I'm gald you have your appt. with ENT he maybe able to help you with this . Hopefully you will get answers. Please post us your results we care here at connect.

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carlenedd05 | @carlenedd05 | Sep 9, 2019

Thank you and glad to be here. No, the lab results said salivary form...I'll keep the group posted...

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carlenedd05 | @carlenedd05 | Sep 13, 2019

My ENT called yesterday. He has reached out to colleague at Mayo Clinic. He said he was told this is not an uncommon issue. He wants me to use Ciprodex ear drops for 10 days & recheck. If the drainage is still occurring, he will culture the drainage...

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1 reply
imallears | @imallears | Sep 14, 2019
In reply to @carlenedd05 "My ENT called yesterday. He has reached out to colleague at Mayo Clinic. He said he..." + (show)
@carlenedd05

My ENT called yesterday. He has reached out to colleague at Mayo Clinic. He said he was told this is not an uncommon issue. He wants me to use Ciprodex ear drops for 10 days & recheck. If the drainage is still occurring, he will culture the drainage...

Jump to this post

@carlenedd05
Hi,
I’ve used Ciprodex for ear infections....powerful and works fast. I’m curious as to why your ENT is not doing a culture first before prescribing an antibiotic.

Regards from FL Mary

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