Otitis externa maligna

It is an infection of the external auditory canal caused by gram-negative Pseudomonas aeruginosa in elderly and diabetic (90%) or otherwise immunosuppressed patients. Inflammation can spread to the mastoid process (procesus mastoideus) with mastoiditis and further intracranially. Complications include obstruction of the external auditory canal or damage to the cranial nerves (V – XII). However, some sources define otitis externa maligna by spreading external pseudomonas otitis into the mastoid process. The mortality rate for such infections is then up to 20%.

Clinical manifestations

 * severe pain in the area
 * purulent discharge from the ear canal
 * neurological symptoms in case of intracranial infection.

Related articles

 * Inflammation of the outer ear