Malignant otitis externa

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Malignant otitis externa

Malignant otitis externa is a disorder involving inflammation and damage of the bones and cartilage of the base of the skull. It is caused by the spread of infection from an external ear infection (otitis externa).

• Malignant = harmful and invasive
• otitis = ear infection and inflammation
• externa = outer

Otitis externa, also called swimmer's ear, is an ear infection that occurs in the outer ear. Malignant otitis externa is an uncommon complication of both acute otitis externa and chronic otitis externa. Diabetics and people whose immune systems are compromised by diseases or medications are particularly susceptible to malignant otitis externa.

External otitis is often caused by difficult-to-treat bacteria such as Pseudomonas. The infection spreads from the floor of the ear canal to the adjacent tissues and into the bones at the base of the skull. The bones may be damaged or destroyed by the resulting infection and inflammation. The infection may further spread and affect the cranial nerves, the brain, or other parts of the body.

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