Necrotising otitis externa in the immunocompetent patient: case series. Issue 1 (27th November 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Unadkat, S; Kanzara, T; Watters, G
• Is Part Of: Journal of laryngology & otology. Volume 132:Issue 1(2018)
• Page Start: 71
• Page End: 74
• Publication Date: 2017-11-27
• Subjects: Adult, -- Aged, -- Aged, 80 And Over, -- Anti-Infective Agents, -- Therapeutic Uses, -- Diabetes Complications, -- Diagnostic Imaging, -- Disease Progression, -- Drug Therapy, Combination, -- Female, -- Gallium Radioisotopes, -- Humans, -- Immunocompetence, -- Immunocompromised Host, -- Male, -- Otitis Externa, -- Diagnosis, -- Etiology, -- Therapy, -- Pseudomonas Infections, -- Retrospective Studies, -- Technetium; Otolaryngology -- Periodicals; 617.51
• DOI: 10.1017/S0022215117002237
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0022-2151

Abstract

Abstract: Background: Necrotising otitis externa can be a devastating form of otitis externa. It typically tends to affect patients who are immunocompromised or diabetic. To date, there is very little in the literature about necrotising otitis externa in the immunocompetent patient population. Case reports: The present paper discusses both the clinical and radiological findings in three cases of necrotising otitis externa in an immunocompetent patient cohort. The common factor among all three patients was their advanced age. Conclusion: Diagnosing necrotising otitis externa can be challenging because of the potentially non-specific symptoms and the absence of early radiological signs, particularly if patients are neither immunocompromised nor diabetic. Elderly patients should be considered in the same light as immunocompromised and diabetic patients in the context of necrotising otitis externa.