We present a case of a 63-year-old diabetic male who developed:malignant ot
itis externa following mastoidectomy. Extensive skull base osteomyelitis ca
used thrombosis of the jugular bulb and subsequent paralysis of cranial ner
ves VII, IX, X and XII. He was treated :aggressively with intravenous antib
iotics and debridement of granulation tissue in the mastoid bowl with full
recovery:of the cranial nerve palsies associated with recanalization of the
jugular bulb. We believe this is the first reported case of malignant otit
is externa to occur following mastoidectomy with complete recovery of the c
ranial nerve paresis.