Usefulness of CT scans in malignant external otitis: effective tool for the diagnosis, but of limited value in predicting outcome.

Computerized tomography (CT) scanning is a well recognised tool for the diagnosis of malignant external otitis. To investigate the degree of correlation between CT findings scan and the patients clinical status focusing on a subgroup of patients with cranial nerve palsies. Diagnosis of malignant external otitis was confirmed in 23 patients (average age 71 years, age range 39-87) based on criteria of severe pain, otitis externa refractory to conventional treatments and possibly diabetes mellitus and pseudomonas detection.

Cranial nerve involvement in malignant external otitis: implications for clinical outcome.

Background: Malignant external otitis is an uncommon, potentially lethal infection of the temporal bone primarily affecting elderly diabetic patients.

Objective: To determine whether cranial nerve involvement in malignant external otitis affects or predicts the clinical outcome in terms of morbidity and mortality.

Methods: Diagnosis of malignant external otitis was established in 23 patients (average age, 71 yr; range, 39-87) based on inclusion criteria of severe pain, otitis externa refractory to conventional treatments, diabetes mellitus, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa detection.