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Malignant otitis externa

Malignant otitis externa is a disorder that involves infection and damage of the bones of the ear canal and at the base of the skull.

VSports最新版本 - Causes

Malignant otitis externa is caused by the spread of an outer ear infection (otitis externa), also called swimmer's ear. It is not common V体育安卓版.

Risks for this condition include:

External otitis is often caused by bacteria that are hard to treat, such as pseudomonas. The infection spreads from the floor of the ear canal to the nearby tissues and into the bones at the base of the skull. The infection and swelling may damage or destroy the bones. The infection may affect the cranial nerves, brain, or other parts of the body if it continues to spread V体育ios版.

"V体育官网入口" Symptoms

Symptoms include:

VSports app下载 - Exams and Tests

Your health care provider will look into your ear for signs of an outer ear infection VSports最新版本. The head around and behind the ear may be tender to touch. A nervous system (neurological) exam may show that the cranial nerves are affected.

If there is any drainage, the provider may send a sample of it to the lab. The lab will culture the sample to try to find the cause of the infection V体育平台登录. .

To look for signs of a V体育2025版 - bone infection next to the ear canal, the following tests may be done:

Treatment

The goal of treatment is to cure the infection V体育官网入口. Treatment often lasts for several months, because it is difficult to treat the bacteria and reach an infection in bone tissue.

You will need to take antibiotic medicines for a long period of time VSports在线直播. The medicines may be given through a vein (intravenously), or by mouth. Antibiotics should be continued until scans or other tests show the inflammation has gone down.

Dead or infected tissue may need to be removed from the ear canal, using a procedure called debridement. In some cases, surgery may be needed to remove dead or damaged tissue in the skull V体育2025版. .

VSports注册入口 - Outlook (Prognosis)

Malignant otitis externa most often responds to long-term treatment, especially if treated early. It may return in the future VSports. Severe cases may be deadly.

Possible Complications

Complications may include:

  • Damage to the cranial nerves, skull, or brain
  • Return of infection, even after treatment
  • Spread of infection to the brain or other parts of the body

When to Contact a Medical Professional (VSports最新版本)

Contact your provider if:

  • You develop symptoms of malignant otitis externa.
  • Symptoms continue despite treatment.
  • You develop new symptoms.

Go to the emergency room or call the local emergency number (such as 911) if you have:

V体育官网 - Prevention

To prevent an external ear infection:

  • Dry the ear thoroughly after it gets wet.
  • Avoid swimming in polluted water.
  • Protect the ear canal with cotton or lamb's wool while applying hair spray or hair dye (if you are prone to getting external ear infections).
  • After swimming, place 1 or 2 drops of a mixture of 50% alcohol and 50% vinegar in each ear to help dry the ear and prevent infection.
  • Maintain good glucose control if you have diabetes.

Treat acute otitis externa completely. Do not stop treatment sooner than your provider recommends. Following your provider's plan and finishing treatment will lower your risk of malignant otitis externa.

VSports app下载 - Alternative Names

Osteomyelitis of the skull; Otitis externa - malignant; Skull-base osteomyelitis; Necrotizing external otitis

"VSports在线直播" Images

References (V体育ios版)

Araos R, D'Agata E. Pseudomonas aeruginosa and other pseudomonas species. In: Bennett JE, Dolin R, Blaser MJ, eds. Mandell, Douglas, and Bennett's Principles and Practice of Infectious Diseases. 9th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 219.

Matlock AG, Pfaff JA. Otolaryngology. In: Walls RM, ed. Rosen's Emergency Medicine: Concepts and Clinical Practice. 10th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2023:chap 58.

Review Date 5/2/2024 (V体育官网)

Updated by: Josef Shargorodsky, MD, MPH, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.

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