MALIGNANT EXTERNAL OTITIS IN NONDIABETIC PATIENTS

The purpose of this study is to point out that contrary to traditional belief, there is a small but significant group of nondiabetic patient s with malignant external otitis. Thirty patients with a diagnosis of malignant external otitis were treated and followed up at the Departme nt of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Beilinson Medical Center, between 1987 and 1991. Nine of these patients did not have clinical or laboratory evidence of diabetes. This study analyzes this group and c oncludes that the diagnosis of malignant external otitis should be con sidered by the treating physician in nondiabetic patients presenting w ith a Pseudomonas aeruginosa infection of the external ear canal. Seve re pain and edematous closure of the canal, together with typical gran ulation tissue and failure to respond to medical treatment, are specif ic characteristics of this group.