MALIGNANT OTITIS EXTERNA – OUR EXPERIENCE
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.22159/ajpcr.2022.v15i4.43974Keywords:
Malignant otitis externa, Granulations, Nocturnal otalgia, Persistent otorrheaAbstract
Objective: In this study, we aim to find out different symptoms and treatment outcomes of patients who are diagnosed with malignant otitis externa according to Levenson’s criteria, attending ENT OPD in a tertiary care hospital.
Methods: This is a prospective study, conducted over 18 months from August 2018 to February 2020 in the Department of ENT, GITAM Institute of Medical Sciences and Research, Visakhapatnam. Patients typically presented with nocturnal otalgia, persistent otorrhea, hearing loss, and aural fullness. Consent from patients for participation in the study has been taken. Complete history and thorough clinical examination were made, along with relevant investigations.
Results: Out of the 15 patients selected, MOE is more common in males (60%) than females (40%). The most common organism isolated is Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Nocturnal otalgia was the presenting complaint in all the patients. The age group commonly affected with MOE is 60−75 years. Facial nerve palsy is seen among 46% of the patients. Dry moping and application of betadine wick after the scrapping of granulations and reasonable glycemic control was helpful in-patient recovery in 50% of the cases.
Conclusion: Malignant otitis externa (MOE) is an aggressive infection representing a life-threatening condition. In our patients, a prolonged topical and oral antibiotic treatment and strict control of glycemic levels permitted to control the disease, but the surgical approach by debridement of granulations appeared essential for the resolution of the disease.
Downloads
References
Chandler JR. Malignant external otitis and facial paralysis. Otolaryngol Clin North Am 1974;7:375-83. doi: 10.1016/S0030-6665(20)32844-9, PMID 4209507
Chandler JR. Malignant external otitis: Further considerations. Ann Otol Rhinol Laryngol 1977;86:417-28. doi: 10.1177/000348947708600401, PMID 407826
Yang TH, Xirasagar S, Cheng YF, Wu CS, Kao YW, Shia BC, et al. Malignant otitis externa is associated with diabetes: A population-based case-control study. Ann Otol Rhinol Laryngol 2020;129:585-90. doi: 10.1177/0003489419901139. PMID 31976744
Musa TS, Bemu AN, Grema US, Kirfi AM. Pattern of otitis externa in Kaduna Nigeria. Pan Afr Med J 2015;21:165. doi: 10.11604/ pamj.2015.21.165.5577, PMID 26328002
Rowlands S, Devalia H, Smith C, Hubbard R, Dean A. Otitis externa in UK general practice: A survey using the UK General Practice Research Database. Br J Gen Pract 2001;51:533-8. PMID 11462312
Soudry E, Joshua BZ, Sulkes J, Nageris BI. Characteristics and prognosis of malignant external otitis with facial paralysis. Arch Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg 2007;133:1002-4. doi: 10.1001/archotol.133.10.1002, PMID 17938323
Allender MC, Langan J, Citino S. Investigation of oral bacterial and fungal flora following otitis in captive okapi (Okapia johnstoni). Vet Dermatol 2008;19:95
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
Copyright (c) 2022 Saraswathi AV, HARINI MULLAPUDI
![Creative Commons License](http://i.creativecommons.org/l/by/4.0/88x31.png)
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
The publication is licensed under CC By and is open access. Copyright is with author and allowed to retain publishing rights without restrictions.