Malignant otitis externa

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Ear anatomy

Overview Symptoms Treatment Prevention

Malignant otitis externa

• drainage from the ear
  • yellow, yellow-green, pus, foul smelling
  • persistent
• hearing loss
• ear pain
  • may worsen on head movement
  • may be located deep within the ear
• itching of the ear or ear canal
• fever

A doctor will look into your ear for signs of an outer ear infection (otitis externa). The head around and behind the ear may be tender to touch. A neurological examination may show that the cranial nerves are affected.

If there is any drainage, the doctor may send it to the lab for a culture to be performed. The purpose of the culture is to look for bacteria or fungus, usually the bacteria Pseudomonas.

To look for signs of a bone infection adjacent to the ear canal, the following tests may be performed:

• CT scan of the head
• X-rays of the skull
• MRI scan of the head
• Radionuclide scan

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