Malignant Otitis Externa: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment
Malignant otitis externa is a severe infection that affects the ear canal and temporal bone. It is also known as necrotizing external otitis, skull base osteomyelitis, or malignant external otitis. This condition is most commonly seen in elderly people and individuals who have a compromised immune system.
- Causes: Malignant otitis externa is caused by a bacterial infection. The most common causative organism is Pseudomonas aeruginosa, but other bacteria such as Staphylococcus aureus, Klebsiella, and Escherichia coli can also cause this condition.
- Symptoms: The symptoms of malignant otitis externa include severe ear pain, discharge from the ear, swelling of the ear canal, hearing loss, and fever. In some cases, the infection can spread to the surrounding tissues and bones, causing complications such as facial nerve paralysis, meningitis, or brain abscess.
- Treatment: Malignant otitis externa requires prompt medical attention. The treatment involves a combination of antibiotics and surgical debridement of the infected tissues. In some cases, a long-term course of antibiotics may be required to prevent the recurrence of the infection. Pain relief medications and ear drops may also be prescribed to manage the symptoms.
Preventive measures can be taken to reduce the risk of developing malignant otitis externa. These measures include keeping the ears dry, avoiding the use of cotton swabs or other objects to clean the ears, and avoiding swimming in contaminated waters.
In conclusion, malignant otitis externa is a severe infection that requires prompt medical attention. If you experience any of the symptoms mentioned above, seek medical help immediately. With proper treatment, most cases of malignant otitis externa can be successfully treated.