[The treatment of necrotizing otitis externa with a combination of surgery, antibiotics, specific immunoglobulins and hyperbaric oxygen therapy. Results of the Ulm Treatment Concept]

Otitis Externa

BACKGROUND

Otitis externa has a lifetime prevalence of 10% and can arise in acute, chronic, and necrotizing forms.

METHODS

This review is based on publications retrieved by a selective search of the pertinent literature.

RESULTS

The treatment of acute otitis media consists of anal- gesia, cleansing of the external auditory canal, and the appli- cation of antiseptic and antimicrobial agents. Local antibiotic and corticosteroid preparations have been found useful, but there have been no large-scale randomized controlled trials of their use. Topical antimicrobial treatments lead to a higher cure rate than placebo, and corticosteroid preparations lessen swelling, erythema, and secretions. Oral antibiotics are indi- cated if the infection has spread beyond the ear canal or in patients with poorly controlled diabetes mellitus or immuno- suppression. Chronic otitis externa is often due to an under- lying skin disease. Malignant otitis externa, a destructive infection of the external auditory canal in which there is also osteomyelitis of the petrous bone, arises mainly in elderly diabetic or immunosuppressed patients and can be life- threatening.

CONCLUSION

With correct assessment of the different types of otitis externa, rapidly effective targeted treatment can be initi- ated, so that complications will be avoided and fewer cases will progress to chronic disease.

Hyperbaric oxygen as an adjuvant treatment for malignant otitis externa

BACKGROUND

Malignant, or necrotising, otitis externa is a potentially fatal infection of the external ear canal and surrounding soft tissue and bone. It may be complicated by involvement of cranial nerves, principally the facial nerves and the contents of the jugular foramen. It is an uncommon condition mainly found in the elderly or in diabetics.

OBJECTIVES

To assess the effectiveness of adjunctive hyperbaric oxygen treatment for malignant otitis externa.

SEARCH METHODS

We searched the Cochrane Ear, Nose and Throat Disorders Group Trials Register; the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL); PubMed; EMBASE; CINAHL; Web of Science; ICTRP and additional sources for published and unpublished trials. The date of the most recent search was 4 April 2013.

SELECTION CRITERIA

Randomised controlled trials, involving adults, undergoing hyperbaric oxygen therapy in malignant otitis externa.

DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS

No identified articles described randomised controlled trials of hyperbaric oxygen therapy in the treatment of malignant otitis externa.

MAIN RESULTS

Due to the lack of data we could present no results.

AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS

No clear evidence exists to demonstrate the efficacy of hyperbaric oxygen therapy when compared to treatment with antibiotics and/or surgery. We found no data to compare rates of complication between the different treatment modalities. Further research is required.

[Necrotizing otitis externa in a 5-month-old infant]

This report presents the case of a healed 5-month-old infant with necrotising (malignant) bilateral otitis externa from acute mastoiditis on the right side and sepsis caused by Pseudomonas aeruginosa infection. Despite of immediately performed mastoidectomy, targeted antibiotics and intensive local treatment, two third of both external auditory canal's epithelium had shown subcutaneous concentric necrosis and ejection which have been removed with repeated necretomies. After the remission of inflammatory symptoms, successful bilateral auditory canal reconstructions were performed. The observed right peripheral facial paresis at the beginning of disease remained stationary. The patient healed with residual symptoms after 2 months of treatment. Neither immune deficiency, nor diabetes could have been proven.

Topische Immunmodulation

BACKGROUND

Recurrent exacerbation of chronic external otitis represents a special challenge for the attending physician. The goal of our study was to evaluate the effectiveness of novel topical immunomodulators acting through an anti-inflammatory, nonsteroidal mechanism.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

In a prospective study, in 33 patients an ear wick containing tacrolimus ointment (Protopic 0.1%) was inserted every 2-3 days. Altogether, the wick was changed three times. Therapeutic outcomes were assessed by reexaminations, video-otoscopy, and a standardized findings sheet.

RESULTS

Twenty-eight patients showed significant improvement of clinical symptoms, with 13 of them showing complete healing (follow-up 10-22 months). Relapses (15 cases) were associated with significantly extended symptom-free intervals and reduced numbers of further recurrent episodes.

CONCLUSIONS

Because of the safe and successful anti-inflammatory effects, topical immunomodulators represent a new alternative in chronic inflammatory stages of otherwise therapy-resistant external otitis.

Value of hyperbaric oxygen in bacterial and fungal malignant external otitis treatment

Malignant external otitis (MEO) is an invasive, morbidity, even mortality, mainly pseudomonal infection of the external auditory canal, frequently involving the base of the skull, multiple cranial nerve and the meninges. In many cases conventional therapy has been prolonged, intensive and relatively ineffective, especially in infections other than bacterial (mainly fungal). We presented theoretical principles of hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) treatment in MEO, our own experience and others' experience in applying this treatment method. We treated eight patients with MEO applying pharmacotherapy, topical management, surgery in one case and also adjunct HBO. In six patients, infection was caused by Pseudomonas aeruginosa, in one by Staphylococcus sp. and in one by Aspergillus sp. Complete recovery was achieved in seven patients. In the patient with MEO caused by Aspergillus sp., intracranial complications developed and the patient died. Our experiences in employing HBO in bacterial-caused MEO have confirmed the role of HBO as a valuable, beneficial, supporting classical treatment method. Small number of patients with MEO, especially with non-bacterial infection, and unforeseen clinical course of disease make our experience difficult to objectivize.

Hyperbaric oxygen as an adjuvant treatment for malignant otitis externa

BACKGROUND

Malignant, or necrotising, otitis externa is a potentially fatal infection of the external ear canal and surrounding soft tissue and bone. It may be complicated by involvement of cranial nerves, principally the facial nerves and the contents of the jugular foramen. It is an uncommon condition mainly found in the elderly or in diabetics.

OBJECTIVES

To assess the effectiveness of adjunctive hyperbaric oxygen treatment for malignant otitis externa.

SEARCH STRATEGY

We searched the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) (The Cochrane Library Issue 4, 2003), MEDLINE (January 1966 to April 2004) and EMBASE (January 1985 to April 2004) with pre-specified terms. The date of the last search was 5th April 2004.

SELECTION CRITERIA

Randomised controlled trials, involving adults, undergoing hyperbaric oxygen therapy in malignant otitis externa.

DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS

No identified articles described randomised controlled trials of hyperbaric oxygen therapy in the treatment of malignant otitis externa.

MAIN RESULTS

Due to the lack of data no results could be presented.

AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS

No clear evidence exists to demonstrate the efficacy of hyperbaric oxygen therapy when compared to treatment with antibiotics and/or surgery. No data were found to compare rates of complication between the different treatment modalities. Further research is required.