Ear Infection

Question 1

Complication of external vs middle ear infection

Answer 1

External - malignant otitis externa

Middle - mastoiditis

Question 2

What is Malignant Otis Externa and where does it spread to?

Answer 2

Life-threatening Necrotizing External Ear Infection - spreads to temporal bone, can spread to brain

Question 3

RF Malignant Otis Externa

Answer 3

Uncontrolled Diabetes (especially elderly patient with diabetes)
Immunocompromised
Chemo
Radiation
Old age

Question 4

SS of malignant otitis externa

Answer 4

Severe ear pain
Headaches
Fever
Facial nerve palsy
Vertigo
Profound hearing loss
Exposed bone on affected side

Question 5

Treatment of Malignant Otitis Externa

Answer 5

Surgically remove dead tissue
Long term antibiotics

Question 6

Complications of malignant otitis externa

Answer 6

Spread of infection to brain
Damage to cranial nerves
Recurrent infections

Question 7

What is mastoiditis?

Answer 7

Inflammation of the mastoid process of the temporal bone (behind ear) caused by middle ear infection

Most often seen in children

Question 8

Which bacteria causes malignant otitis externa in 95% of cases?

Answer 8

Pseudomonas Aeruginosa