Bacterial Culture and Gram Stain, External Ear
Test Mnemonic
EARCSM
CPT Codes
- 87070 - QTY (1)
- 87205 - QTY (1)
- 87077 - QTY (1)
- 87106 - QTY (1)
- 87153 - QTY (1)
- 87181 - QTY (1)
- 87184 - QTY (1)
- 87185 - QTY (1)
- 87186 - QTY (1)
- 87186 - QTY (1)
- 87186 - QTY (1)
- 87186 - QTY (1)
LOINC ®
608-0
Aliases
- otitis externa
- Pseudomonas
Performing Laboratory
Cleveland Clinic Laboratories
Specimen Requirements
| Volume | Type | Container | Collect Temperature | Transport Temperature | Special Instructions |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unspecified | Skin | E Swab | Ambient | Ambient |
Stability
| Environmental Condition | Description |
|---|---|
| Ambient | 48 hours |
| Refrigerated | 48 hours |
| Frozen | Unacceptable |
Days Performed
Sun - Sat
Turnaround Time
7 days
Methodology
| Name | Description |
|---|---|
| Culture, Identification | |
| Gram Stain |
Reference Range
Special Info
For ruptured eardrum, collect fluid on flexible shaft swab via an auditory speculum. Outer ear: Obtain sample by firmly rotating swab in outer canal. For otitis externa, vigorous swabbing is required
Clinical Info
Otitis media can usually be diagnosed and treated without culture. Respiratory viruses, Streptococcus pneumoniae, Haemophilus influenzae, and Moraxella catarrhalis are the most common organisms causing acute otitis media. Chronic external otitis is often due to seborrhea. The primary etiology of necrotizing otitis externa infection is Pseudomonas aeruginosa.