Malignant otitis external - Our experience

Abstract

Malignant external otitis is an extremely morbid osteomyelitis of external auditory canal, mastoid and skull base caused by pseudomonas aerogenosa. We report our experience with six cases, which we came across in ten years. Patients' profile, our management and results are presented. A need for increasing awareness of the condition and the probability of early diagnosis with a high index of suspicion in the early stages is discussed. Attempt also is done to review a few recent articles with special emphasis on imaging techniques and radioisotope scans.