Otitis Externa

Question 1

Definition of otitis externa

Answer 1

infection and inflammation of the external ear canal

Question 2

Is it caused by viruses, bacteria, or fungi?

Answer 2

Commonly bacteria

Question 3

Diagnosis requires

Answer 3

presence of rapid onset of symptoms: 
Ear PAIN 
Tenderness
ITCHING
Aural fullness
Hearing loss coupled with signs of ear canal inflammation

Question 4

Diagnosis is generally made with

Answer 4

conventional otoscopy

Question 5

Organisms

Answer 5

Pseudomonas aeruginosa

Staphylococcus species

Question 6

Treatment of the uncomplicated form

Answer 6

cleaning of the ear canal and application of topical antimicrobial agents

Question 7

Types

Answer 7

1. Acute Localised otitis externa (furunculosis):
2. Acute Diffuse otitis externa or swimmers ear :
3. Chronic otitis externa:
4. Fungal otitis externa (Otomycosis)
5. Malignant or necrotizing otitis externa

Question 8

Acute Localised otitis externa (furunculosis):

Answer 8

• localised infection in the hair follicles in the auditory canal.
• caused primarily by S.aureus
• treatment: topical and systemic antibacterial therapy

Question 9

Acute Diffuse otitis externa or swimmers ear :

Answer 9

• occurs in hot and humid weather
• infection is limited to the skin of the external canal
• most commonly caused by Pseudomonas aeruginosa •
treatment : local care, antibacterial topical eardrops

Question 10

Chronic otitis externa:

Answer 10

• caused by chronic drainage from middle ear in patients with draining suppurative otitis media
• causing pruritis and middle ear manifestations
• treatment: treatment of OM (underlying cause ).

Question 11

Fungal otitis externa (Otomycosis)

Answer 11

• less common than acute bacterial otitis externa.
• most commonly caused by Aspergillus species
• treatment: topical antifungal eardrops, local cleansing and
acidifying local agents

Question 12

Malignant or necrotizing otitis externa

Answer 12

• More common in older patients with uncontrolled DIABETES or in patients with immunodeficiency.
• Involve the skin and soft tissue of the external auditory canal
and the temporal bone.
• It is most commonly caused by PSEUDOMONA’S spp.
• Treatment: Hospital admission, topical and systemic
antibacterial therapy plus debridement of granulation tissue