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Atypical presentations of malignant otitis externa

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 March 2010

Z Vourexakis ,
M-I Kos  and
J-P Guyot
Z Vourexakis*
Affiliation:
Department of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, University Hospital of Geneva, Switzerland
M-I Kos
Affiliation:
Department of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, University Hospital of Geneva, Switzerland
J-P Guyot
Affiliation:
Department of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, University Hospital of Geneva, Switzerland
*
Address for correspondence: Dr Zacharias Vourexakis, Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, University of Geneva School of Medicine, Geneva University Hospitals, Rue Gabrielle – Perret – Gentil 4, 1211 Geneva, Switzerland. E-mail: [email protected]
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Abstract

Introduction:

Malignant otitis externa is a life-threatening infection of the skull base. Its presentation is not always typical.

Case reports:

We report three cases of malignant otitis externa which illustrate the diversity of its clinical manifestations and the difficulties in its diagnosis.

Discussion:

The perception of malignant otitis externa as an infection caused by Pseudomonas aeruginosa in diabetic patients is not always correct. The adoption of diagnostic criteria could be helpful in identifying atypical cases.

Keywords

Otitis ExternaMalignant Otitis ExternaNecrotizing Otitis ExternaPseudomonas
Type
Clinical Records
Information
The Journal of Laryngology & Otology , Volume 124 , Issue 11 , November 2010 , pp. 1205 - 1208
Copyright
Copyright © JLO (1984) Limited 2010

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