Malignant Otitis Externa

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Overview, Causes, & Risk Factors

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 from diseases or medications are particularly susceptible to malignant otitis externa.

The infection of external otitis, often caused by difficult-to-treat bacteria such as Pseudomonas, spreads from the floor of the ear canal to the adjacent tissues and into the bones of the base of the skull. The bones may be damaged or destroyed from 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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