Far advanced malignant external otitis: Report of a survival

Abstract

Malignant external otitis has been the subject of several reports since it was described by Chandler in 1968. Cranial nerve involvement has been recognized as an ominous prognostic sign. Mortality has been about 50 percent (10/19) with facial nerve paralysis, and over 80 percent (9/11) with multiple cranial nerves involved. A survival of a patient with involvement of cranial nerves VII and IX‐XI is reported. Effective treatment comprised surgical debridement and Gentamicin, Carbenicillin and Colistimethate. This therapeutic regimen is presently the best available for malignant external otitis.