Malignant otitis externa Flashcards
1
Q
Most commonly caused by?
A
Pseudomonas aeruginosa
2
Q
Pathophysiology?
A
Infection commences in the soft tissues of the external auditory meatus, then progresses to involve the soft tissues and into the bony ear canal. Then progresses to temporal bone osteomyelitis
3
Q
Mainly found in?
A
Diabetics (90%) or immunosuppressed (illness or treatment related)
4
Q
Symptoms?
A
- Severe, unrelenting, deep-seated otalgia
- Temporal headaches
- Purulent otorrhea
- Possibly dysphagia, hoarseness, and/or facial nerve dysfunction
5
Q
Diagnosis?
A
CT scan
6
Q
Treatment?
A
- non-resolving otitis externa with worsening pain should be referred urgently to ENT
- Intravenous antibiotics that cover pseudomonal infections
