Outcomes of malignant external otitis: survival vs mortality

Abstract

Conclusions: In patients with malignant external otitis (MEO), mortality was not related to age, sex, degree of glucose tolerance, duration of diabetes mellitus (DM), microorganism, comorbid disease, or involvement of a single cranial nerve. Severe complications such as skull base osteomyelitis, intracranial extension, and involvement of multiple cranial nerves were correlated with mortality.

Objectives: To analyze the factors that affect the survival of patients with MEO in today's era of advanced antibiotics.

Patients and methods: Patients with a diagnosis of MEO from 1993 to 2005 were collected.

Results: A total 26 patients with a mean age of 63.7+/-10.2 years were included. All had a history of DM. Pseudomonas aeruginosa (26.9%), Klebsiella pneumoniae (19.2%), and fungus (15.4%) were most frequently found in pus cultures. Cranial nerves were involved in 11 patients: the facial nerve was most frequently (38.46%) involved. Complications such as osteomyelitis (11 patients) and intracranial involvement (3 patients) were noted in this series. Mastoidectomy was performed in 12 patients. A total of five patients died.