Ear canal is the only skin-lined cul-de-sac in the body
Acute - Symptoms < 3/52
- Typically unilateral
- 90& bacterial, 2% fungal
Chronic - Symptoms > 3/52
- Often bilateral
- White keratin debris may fill the ear over time
- Allergic dermatitis to shampoos/cosmetics etc
- Treat underlying cause
Causes/Factors
-
Swimming
-
Trauma
-
Occlusive ear devices
-
Allergic Contact Dermatitis
-
Dermatological conditions
-
Pseudomonas aeruginosa
-
Staphylococcus aureus
Symptoms
- Inflammation of the external ear canal presenting with a combination of otalgia, pruritus and non-mucoid ear discharge
Diagnostic Tests
- History
- Otoscopic examination
- Ear swab or pus sample for MC&S
Management
- Topical antibiotic
- Gentamicin
- Corticosteroid
Complications/red Flags
- Pseudomonas bacteria causing a necrotising OE → life threatening
Malignant otitis externa - infection has spread to the temporal Bone. Additional risk factors are diabetes, Immunosuppression, HIV. Can lead to:
- facial nerve damage
- cranial nerve involvement
- Meningitis
- intracranial thrombosis
- death