Imaging Necrotizing Otitis Externa

Fungal Necrotizing Otitis Externa: Clinical and Therapeutic Features

Objectives: To describe the clinical and therapeutic features of fungal necrotizing otitis externa (NOE) as well as to identify the predictive factors of complications. Materials and Methods: This retrospective and monocentric study included 15 cases of fungal NOE treated in our ENT department between 2006 and 2024. Clinical, biological, microbiological, and imaging data were collected and evaluated. Results: We included 15 patients diagnosed with fungal NOE based on positive microbiological cultures. The mean age was 67.6 years. All patients had diabetes. Otalgia was the most common symptom. Complications were noted in 80% of the cases. Facial nerve palsy occurred in 5 cases (33.3%). Computed tomography imaging revealed extension to the temporomandibular joint (46.7%), middle ear involvement (60%), vascular thrombosis (26.6%), intracranial extension (13.3%), and soft tissue complications (33.3%). The identified fungi were Candida spp. (26.7%) and Aspergillus spp. (73.3%). All patients received antifungal treatment. The mean total duration (intravenous + oral) of antifungal treatment was 2 months. Clinical improvement was observed in all cases, without recurrence cases after a median follow-up of 6 months. Older age and delay before consultation were significantly associated with soft tissue extension. Immunodeficiency and delay before consultation were significantly correlated with vascular thrombosis. Conclusions: Fungal NOE is a rare but serious condition that requires prompt diagnosis and treatment. Early identification and appropriate antifungal treatment are crucial to prevent complications and achieve favorable outcomes.

Necrotizing Otitis Externa: A Proposal for Diagnostic and Therapeutic Approach

Introduction  Necrotizing otitis externa has a high impact on the quality of life of patients and has shown a significant increase in its incidence in recent years. There has been a change in the profile of affected patients and a lack of consensus on the management of these patients. Objective  To develop a practical and effective care protocol to standardize the diagnostic and therapeutic management of necrotizing otitis externa. Methods  A retrospective cohort study of necrotizing otitis externa patients between January 2015 and December 2020. Results  There were 34 patients with two bilateral cases, totaling 36 ears. The mean age was 68.5, with a higher prevalence of males (76%). Diabetes was present in 97% of the samples. The involvement of cranial pairs was identified in 35% of the sample. Pseudomonas aeruginosa was the most frequent pathogen isolated, found in 50% of the cases. Among the cultures with bacterial agents isolated, 35% showed resistance to ciprofloxacin. The most frequent exam was computed tomography (94%). Hospital admission was indicated for 31 patients (91%), and ceftazidime was the most prescribed drug (35.5%). There were 11 recurrences (32%), and 12 patients (35%) had complications during treatment. Among the unfavorable outcomes, 12% persisted with some degree of peripheral facial paralysis, 6% maintained dysphagia, and 9% died of the disease. Conclusions  The present study developed a diagnostic and therapeutic protocol for the effective management of necrotizing otitis externa. This protocol is a dynamic tool and should be revised and updated as new demands emerge during its implementation.

UK consensus definitions for necrotising otitis externa: a Delphi study

OBJECTIVE

To establish consensus definitions for necrotising otitis externa (NOE) to facilitate the diagnosis and exclusion of NOE in clinical practice and expedite future high-quality study of this neglected condition.

DESIGN

The work comprised of a systematic review of the literature, five iterative rounds of consultation via a Delphi process and open discussion within the collaborative. An expert panel analysed the results to produce the final outputs which were shared with and endorsed by national specialty bodies.

SETTING

Secondary care in the UK.

PARTICIPANTS

UK clinical specialists practising in infection, ear nose and throat (ENT) surgery or radiology.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Definitions and statements meeting the following criteria were accepted: (a) minimum of 70% of respondents in agreement or strong agreement with a definition/statement AND (b) <15% of respondents in disagreement or strong disagreement with a definition/statement.

RESULTS

Seventy-four UK clinicians specialising in ENT, Infection and Radiology with a special interest in NOE took part in the work which was undertaken between 2019 and 2021. The minimum response rate for a Round was 76%. Consensus criteria for all proposed case definitions, outcome definitions and consensus statements were met in the fifth round.

CONCLUSIONS

This work distills the clinical opinion of a large group of multidisciplinary specialists from across the UK to create practical definitions and statements to support clinical practice and research for NOE. This is the first step in an iterative process. Further work will seek to validate and test these definitions and inform their evolution.

Characteristics, management and outcome of a large necrotising otitis externa case series: need for standardised case definition

Background

Necrotising otitis externa is a severe ear infection for which there are no established diagnostic or treatment guidelines.

Method

This study described clinical characteristics, management and outcomes for patients managed as necrotising otitis externa cases at a UK tertiary referral centre.

Results

A total of 58 (63 per cent) patients were classified as definite necrotising otitis externa cases, 31 (34 per cent) as probable cases and 3 (3 per cent) as possible cases. Median duration of intravenous and oral antimicrobial therapy was 6.0 weeks (0.49–44.9 weeks). Six per cent of patients relapsed a median of 16.4 weeks (interquartile range, 23–121) after stopping antimicrobials. Twenty-eight per cent of cases had complex disease. These patients were older (p = 0.042), had a longer duration of symptoms prior to imaging (p < 0.0001) and higher C-reactive protein at diagnosis (p = 0.005). Despite longer courses of intravenous antimicrobials (23 vs 14 days; p = 0.032), complex cases were more likely to relapse (p = 0.016).

Conclusion

A standardised case-definition of necrotising otitis externa is needed to optimise diagnosis, management and research.