Table 1 Total clinical score
Clinical sign | Score ‘0’ descriptor | Score ‘1’ descriptor | Score ‘2’ descriptor |
|---|---|---|---|
Pain | None noted | Mild/moderate; painful on palpation | Severe: painful when raising pinna |
Erythema | None noted | Mild/moderate: barely perceptible to obvious redness visible with an otoscope | Severe: beet or cherry red or erythema extends into pinna |
Exudate | None noted | Mild/moderate: small amount to moderate amounts visible in ear canal | Severe: extending out of ear canal and may be crusted |
Swelling | None noted | Mild/moderate: minimal occlusion to moderate occlusion of ear canal | Severe: canal completely occluded |
Odor | None noted | Mild/moderate: malodor evident when pinna is raised | Severe: malodor evident without raising pinna to expose ear canal |
Ulceration | None noted | Mild/moderate: mild abrasions | Severe: abrasions that may be bleeding |