Otolaryngol Clin N Am

41 (2008) 537–549

Malignant Otitis Externa

Matthew J. Carfrae, MD, Bradley W. Kesser, MD*
Department of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery, Division of Otology-Neurotology,
University of Virginia Health System, Box 800713, 1 Hospital Drive, Old Medical School,
2nd Floor, Charlottesville, VA 22908, USA

Malignant (necrotizing) otitis externa (MOE) was first described as a case

of progressive Pseudomonas osteomyelitis in the temporal bone of a patient
who had diabetes nearly a half century ago [1]. Chandler [2] published the
first series of patients with progressive osteomyelitis of the temporal bone
and termed the condition malignant otitis externa. Other authors have advo-
cated using the term necrotizing otitis externa to reflect the fact that the pro-
cess is not neoplastic [3]. Skull base osteomyelitis perhaps most accurately
describes the pathophysiology of the disease process and has been used to
indicate infection that has spread to the skull base, beyond the external
auditory canal [3]. Although perhaps less precise, malignant otitis externa
has been used most extensively in the literature and common vernacular,
and will be the term used in this article.
Before effective antibiotic regimens, MOE was frequently fatal, with
mortality rates of nearly 50% [2]. Originally managed surgically, MOE is
now effectively treated with antibiotics in most cases, with surgery reserved
for biopsy and local debridement. Prompt identification and diagnosis of
MOE and appropriate culture-directed therapy can prevent serious compli-
cations and mortality.

Epidemiology
Diabetes mellitus remains the most important associated condition.
Although only 65% of subjects had diabetes in a recent review of 46 cases
of malignant otitis externa [4], the prevalence of diabetes in MOE is more
commonly 90% to 100% of patients [2,5–8]. Any condition causing immu-
nosuppression, including HIV/AIDS [9,10], chemotherapy-induced aplasia,
refractory anemia, chronic leukemia, lymphoma, splenectomy, neoplasia,

* Corresponding author.
E-mail address: bwk2n@[Link] (B.W. Kesser).

0030-6665/08/$ - see front matter Ó 2008 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
doi:10.1016/[Link].2008.01.004 [Link]

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538 CARFRAE & KESSER

and renal transplantation, may predispose a patient to MOE [4,5]. As recog-

nized in Chandler’s [2] seminal review, however, patients who have diabetes
(and especially elderly patients) are particularly vulnerable to MOE because
of the associated endarteritis, microangiopathy, and small vessel oblitera-
tion, which, coupled with the ability of Pseudomonas to invade vessel walls
and cause a vasculitis with thrombosis and coagulation necrosis of surroun-
ding tissue, underlies the pathophysiology of this disease.
Patients who have HIV-associated MOE are younger than the average
patient who has diabetes. MOE should be suspected in all patients who have
HIV and otitis externa that does not improve with appropriate therapy. MOE
in patients who have HIV may lack typical granulation tissue along the floor
of the external auditory canal (EAC) [10]. Fungal MOE is found in patients
who have HIV more commonly than in those who have diabetes, particularly
patients who have severe AIDS [11]. Fungal MOE often originates in the middle
ear or mastoid in contrast to pseudomonal MOE. Pseudomonas infections in
HIV occur with CD4 levels less than 100 cells/mm and Aspergillus-associated
MOE with CD4 counts less than 50 cells/mm [9].
Although rare, MOE has been reported in children who have diabetes
and other immunocompromised states, including IgG subclass deficiency
[12], IgA deficiency [13], acute monocytic leukemia [14], iatrogenic neutrope-
nia secondary to induction chemotherapy for acute lymphoblastic leukemia
[15], and bone marrow transplantation [16]. Compared with adults, diabetes
is not as common a comorbidity in children (21% in one review [14]) as are
other immunocompromised states.
The course of MOE in children has an acute onset, with more toxic initial
symptoms of fever, malaise, and leukocytosis. Although one review reported
a lower incidence of facial nerve paralysis in children [14], another cited a higher
incidence earlier in the course of the disease because of the less-developed mas-
toid process and closer proximity of the facial nerve and stylomastoid foramen
to the EAC [17]. Facial paralysis has no prognostic significance to overall recov-
ery, because both studies agree that children generally have a more favorable
prognosis than adults [14,17]. Prognosis for facial nerve recovery in children
is poorer, however [14]. P aeruginosa is also the most common causative agent
in children. Complications in children include necrosis of the tympanic mem-
brane [17], stenosis of the EAC, auricular deformity, and sensorineural and con-
ductive hearing loss [14,17]. Most pediatric cases resolve with several weeks of
intravenous antibiotics, although longer courses can be required [18]. Quino-
lones are generally avoided in children because of damage to weight-bearing
joints in juvenile animal studies. However, ciprofloxacin has been successfully
used to treat resistant MOE in a child after other intravenous therapy failed [14].

Pathophysiology
MOE affects immunocompromised individuals; its presentation in an
otherwise healthy individual should prompt an investigation for diabetes

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 MALIGNANT OTITIS EXTERNA 539

mellitus or other immunodeficiency. MOE originates as a soft tissue infection

of the EAC. Water irrigation for cerumen disimpaction in elderly patients
who have diabetes is a proposed inciting event [19]. Histologic studies of
the EAC show inflammation of the epidermis with acute and chronic inflam-
matory reaction in the dermis [20]. Patients who have diabetes show poor
chemotaxis and phagocytosis of polymorphonuclear leukocytes, monocytes,
and macrophages, leading to susceptibility to P aeruginosa infection [21,22].
Another contributing factor may be the higher pH of cerumen in individuals
who have diabetes [23].
Infection from the EAC spreads to the skull base through the fissures of
Santorini, small perforations in the cartilaginous portion of the EAC found
along the floor of the canal. Once out of the canal, infection spreads medi-
ally to the tympanomastoid suture, and along venous canals and fascial
planes. The compact bone of the skull base becomes replaced with granula-
tion tissue, leading to bone destruction. Progressive spread of infection to
skull base foramina causes cranial neuropathies. The most commonly
involved nerve is the facial nerve because of the proximity of the stylomas-
toid foramen to the EAC. Nerves of the jugular foramen are the next most
commonly affected. As disease spreads more medially, petrous apex involve-
ment can affect the abducens and trigeminal nerves and, more medially, the
optic nerve [24]. Spread of infection to the sigmoid sinus can lead to septic
thrombosis of the sigmoid sinus and internal jugular vein; meningitis and
cerebral abscess may also complicate MOE [3,25]. Skull base osteomyelitis
can also spread to the contralateral side and include the cervical spine
[26]. Finally, extracranial spread of infection may involve the infratemporal
fossa, parotid, and neck, leading to involvement of surrounding structures
and abscess formation. The otic capsule is typically spared and middle ear
involvement is usually a late finding [2,3].

Microbiology
In most cases, the causative agent of MOE is Pseudomonas aeruginosa,
which is a gram-negative obligate aerobe not normally found in the EAC.
This organism will colonize the EAC in a moist environment or after trauma
and is only a pathogen in the absence of effective host defenses. It also com-
monly causes benign acute otitis externa (swimmer’s ear). Conditions lead-
ing to more invasive MOE must also involve impaired host immunity to
allow the organism to spread out of the external canal. More virulent Pseu-
domonas species contain a mucoid surface layer that protects the bacterium
from phagocytosis. They also produce lytic enzymes, including endotoxin,
collagenase, and elastase, causing a necrotizing vasculitis and endarteritis
that enable invasion of surrounding tissue. Other bacteria, including Staph-
ylococcus aureus [27], S epidermidis [28], Proteus mirabilis [29], Klebsiella
oxytoca [30], and P cepacia [31], have also been reported to cause MOE,
although these organisms may have been colonizers and not true pathogens.

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540 CARFRAE & KESSER

Fungal pathogens can also cause MOE, particularly in immunocompro-

mised patients who are not diabetic, including those who have HIV/AIDS
[25]. The most common fungal organism is Aspergillus fumigatus [32,33],
although other species have been isolated, including A flavus [34,35], A niger
(in a patient who was immunocompetent [36] and one who was diabetic [37]),
and Scedosporium apiospermum (in a patient who had end-stage AIDS [11]).
The possibility of fungal MOE must be considered if a patient who has classic
signs and symptoms of MOE is unresponsive to appropriate antimicrobial
therapy and cultures have been negative. Fungal MOE should also be consid-
ered and cultures retaken in patients who do well initially on antimicrobial
therapy but experience recrudescence [34]. Several studies point out the clin-
ical differences between bacterial and fungal MOE (Table 1).
Finally, the diagnosis and treatment of MOE in the absence of an identifi-
able pathogen (culture-negative specimen) has been described. These studies
diagnosed MOE based on clinical history, signs and symptoms, biopsy to
rule out malignancy, markedly elevated erythrocyte sedimentation rate
(ESR), and imaging studies, such as CT and radionuclide (gallium and tech-
netium bone) scanning [8,38]. Previous treatment with oral or topical anti-
biotics before evaluation and wound culture may be responsible for this
scenario, because many patients had already experienced failed response
to a short course of oral ciprofloxacin and various topical antibiotic prepa-
rations before undergoing otolaryngologic evaluation. Treatment included
intravenous ceftazidime (aztreonam for penicillin allergic patients), high-
dose oral ciprofloxacin (750 mg twice daily), and topical aminoglycoside–
steroid drops [8].

Clinical presentation
Typical patients who have MOE are elderly individuals who have diabe-
tes and severe, unremitting otalgia, aural fullness, otorrhea, and hearing
loss. Otalgia in these patients may be worse at night and more severe than
what is usually associated with otitis externa. Hearing loss is conductive
in nature. Headache, temporomandibular joint pain, and decreased oral
intake secondary to trismus may also be present. Patients may provide a his-
tory of minor ear canal trauma associated with irrigation or cleaning. Many
patients will have already taken short courses of oral antibiotics or been
prescribed topical antibiotic drops. This antecedent history of antimicrobial
therapy should not deter clinicians from pursuing and diagnosing MOE
(and ruling out malignancy).
On examination, purulent otorrhea with a swollen, tender external audi-
tory canal are hallmarks. Skin of the concha may be erythematous and
tender. Granulation tissue or exposed bone is frequently seen on the floor
of the canal at the bony–cartilaginous junction. Usually the tympanic mem-
brane and middle ear appear healthy and uninvolved if not obstructed by
granulation tissue or polyp in the canal. Periaural lymphadenopathy may

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Table 1
Clinical and microscopic differences between bacterial and fungal malignant otitis externa

MALIGNANT OTITIS EXTERNA

Etiologic Granulation Middle ear/mastoid
agent Age Diabetes Immunosuppression tissue involvement Histology
Bacteria Older Common Common þ  Gram-negative rod
(Pseudomonas
aeruginosa)
Fungus (Aspergillus Younger Less More common,  þ Branching septated hyphae;
spp) common especially cellular calcium oxalate crystals [36]
immunity, AIDS
Abbreviations: þ, present; , absent.
Data from Refs. [34–36].

541
542 CARFRAE & KESSER

also be present. Associated cranial neuropathies are caused by spread of

infection through the skull base. Involvement of the stylomastoid foramen
will lead to facial paralysis in 25% of patients; less frequently, involvement
of the jugular foramen leads to deficits in cranial nerves IX, X, and XI [7,12].
Fever and leukocytosis are frequently absent. Dural sinus thrombosis,
meningitis, and cerebral abscess may also complicate MOE and are late
findings that portend a grave prognosis. The diagnosis of MOE should be
considered in all immunocompromised patients, especially those who have
diabetes, who have external otitis and severe otalgia.

Diagnosis
The diagnosis of MOE relies on specific elements of the history and phys-
ical examination and laboratory and imaging studies. Findings of pain
disproportionate to the examination, otorrhea, and granulation tissue along
the floor of the ear canal at the bony–cartilaginous junction are usually the
first nonspecific signs and symptoms of MOE. Differential diagnosis
includes carcinoma of the ear canal, granulomatous diseases, Paget’s
disease, nasopharyngeal malignances, clival lesions, and fibrous dysplasia
[25]. Carcinoma of the ear canal has similar clinical and radiologic findings,
and biopsy is absolutely necessary to rule out this disease. Additionally,
repeat biopsy and cultures are warranted to rule out an occult malignancy
if inflammatory disease persists despite appropriate antibiotic therapy.
Fever and leukocytosis are typically absent in adults who have MOE.
ESR is always elevated and has been advocated as a nonspecific inflamma-
tory marker for diagnosis and resolution of disease [39].
Even if patients have used antibiotic drops, cultures should be taken for
aerobic, anaerobic, and fungal organisms and for bacterial sensitivity. Tissue
biopsies should be sent to pathology to rule out malignancy and to microbi-
ology for culture. Silver stain on histologic sections may identify fungal path-
ogens. Repeat cultures are necessary if the first set of cultures is negative, but
withholding therapy until cultures are positive is not recommended.
No imaging modality provides adequate anatomic and physiologic detail
sufficient to diagnose and follow MOE. CT is sensitive to bone erosion and
decreased skull base density, a later finding in MOE (Fig. 1) [40,41]. CT
scanning is also sensitive in diagnosing abscess formation and involvement
of the mastoid, temporomandibular joint, infratemporal fossa, nasophar-
ynx, petrous apex, and carotid canal. Demineralization of the skull base
of 30% or greater is identifiable on CT scan, but because these changes per-
sist despite resolution of disease, CT is therefore a poor choice for
measuring treatment response. CT is also inadequate for showing intracra-
nial extension and bone marrow involvement.
MRI better shows changes in soft tissue, particularly dural enhancement
and involvement of medullary bone spaces [41]. The persistence of these
radiographic changes despite resolution of disease also makes MRI

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 MALIGNANT OTITIS EXTERNA 543

Fig. 1. Axial CT scan of a 63-year-old patient who has diabetes and left malignant otitis externa
showing bony erosion of the posterior external auditory canal and mastoid cortex.

a poor study for determining disease resolution. Involvement of the retro-

condylar fat pad on MRI has been proposed as an early diagnostic finding
in patients being evaluated for MOE [42], but MRI is generally not recom-
mended as a first-line diagnostic imaging modality (given its lower sensitiv-
ity for imaging bone erosion compared with CT).
Nuclear imaging has been a mainstay in the diagnosis and follow-up eval-
uation of patients who have MOE. Technetium Tc 99m methylene diphosph-
onate (MDP) scintigraphy (bone scan) is positive in almost 100% of MOE
cases (Fig. 2). Technetium Tc 99m MDP radiotracer concentrates in areas
with osteoblastic activity, as found in infection, trauma, and neoplasm. Given
its high sensitivity, technetium Tc 99m MDP imaging allows earlier diagnosis
of osteomyelitis than CT [43]. Sensitivity for MOE can be improved through
identifying increased uptake between 4 and 24 hours postinjection [44]. How-
ever, technetium Tc 99m MDP scans are not specific for infection; they will
also be positive in malignancy, hence the need to rule out malignancy with
tissue biopsy. Technetium Tc 99m MDP bone scans remain positive indefi-
nitely and are therefore not useful as markers of response to therapy or
disease resolution.
Gallium Ga 67 citrate concentrates in areas of active inflammation
through attaching to lactoferrin, which is present in large quantities in
leukocytes, and through binding to transferrin and bacteria directly [45].
Gallium scans will be positive for soft tissue and bone infections (Fig. 3).
Gallium uptake returns to normal after the infection has cleared, and several
studies have suggested repeating gallium studies every 4 weeks to assess
treatment response, and as a reliable test to stop treatment if negative
[25,46]. Gallium scans have also proven useful in detecting recurrent disease

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544 CARFRAE & KESSER

Fig. 2. Anterior and posterior views of technetium Tc 99m MDP bone scan of patient from
Fig. 1 showing increased uptake in the left mastoid.

[26]. Both gallium and technetium Tc 99m MDP scans show poor anatomic
resolution but are complementary in the diagnosis of MOE (Table 2).

Management
Successful management of MOE frequently requires collaboration with an
endocrinologist, neurologist, radiologist, and infectious disease specialist.

Fig. 3. Gallium scan of patient from Fig. 1 indicating increased inflammatory activity in the left
mastoid region on posterior (A) and left lateral (B) views.

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 MALIGNANT OTITIS EXTERNA 545

Table 2
Role of technetium, gallium, and CT scans in malignant otitis externa and malignancy
Condition Gallium Technetium CT
Otitis externa þ  
Malignant otitis þ þ May be ()
externa (MOE)
Skull base þ þ þ
osteomyelitis (SBO)
Recurrent MOE () after treatment, þ (þ), if SBO
then (þ)
Resolved MOE  þ (þ), if SBO
Malignancy () in early disease, () in early disease, () early in disease,
(þ) with increasing (þ) with increasing (þ) with
growth bone involvement increasing growth

Important principles of treatment include aggressive control of diabetes,

reversal of acidosis, and improvement of immunocompetency, where possible.
Although surgical intervention is no longer standard care for MOE, therapy
does require biopsy and culture, and may require local debridement of gran-
ulation tissue and bony sequestration or drainage of associated abscess.
Long-term antibiotic therapy is the mainstay of MOE treatment. Culture-di-
rected therapy should always be the goal of treatment, and should be contin-
ued for at least 6 to 8 weeks. Previously, antipseudomonal penicillins and
aminoglycosides were commonly used. This effective combination required
parenteral administration and monitoring for ototoxicity and nephrotoxicity,
especially in patients who had diabetes prone to chronic renal insufficiency.
Long-term monotherapy with oral ciprofloxacin (750 mg twice daily) has
been proposed as the preferred initial antibiotic regimen [6]. Fluoroquino-
lones are active against P aeruginosa, penetrate bone well, have excellent
oral bioavailability, and a less significant side effect profile compared with
alternatives. Addition of rifampin, which does not affect the pharmacokinet-
ics or bactericidal activity of ciprofloxacin, has also been suggested in MOE
[39]. Newer-generation oral fluoroquinolone antibiotics other than cipro-
floxacin may also be considered, but none has been reported in MOE.
Increasing incidence of pseudomonal resistance to ciprofloxacin has more
recently been reported [5]. Resistance is related to widespread use of quino-
lones in the treatment of upper respiratory infections, topical preparations
for otitis media and externa, and inadequate treatment courses in MOE. Be-
renholz and colleagues [5] found 33% P aeruginosa in MOE were resistant
to ciprofloxacin. At the University of Virginia, resistance to P aeruginosa
runs 20% in the outpatient setting. Avoidance of topical quinolones in non-
invasive external ear infections, in favor of acidifying agents such as boric
and acetic acid, has been recommended [5,19]. Use of topical antibiotics
in MOE is controversial because these preparations only change bacterial
flora of the EAC, making culture more difficult and introducing a potential
source of antibiotic resistance without adding significant benefit [19,25].

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546 CARFRAE & KESSER

Third-generation cephalosporins with antipseudomonal activity, such as

ceftazidime, provide an alternative to ciprofloxacin in the treatment of MOE
[5,47,48]. Ceftazidime requires parenteral administration, with resultant
increased treatment cost and inconvenience to patients. Use of a concurrent
aminoglycoside has also been recommended in resistant and complicated
cases [49,50].
Amphotericin B is the most commonly used antifungal agent for fungal
MOE [32–35], but alternatives have been sought given its toxicity. Liposo-
mal amphotericin B is a lipid formulation of the drug with lower toxicity
and equal efficacy. Oral itraconazole has also been used after a successful
short course of amphotericin B [11].
Recurrence rates of 15% to 20% have been reported for MOE [26]. In this
study, three elderly patients who had diabetes experienced recurrence of inad-
equately treated MOE, resulting in death in two patients and significant mor-
bidity in the third. In all cases, inadequate length of treatment with resolution
of symptoms preceded recurrence. Despite relief of symptoms, prolonged
treatment of 6 to 8 weeks is recommended. Therapy can be discontinued
once the ESR and gallium scans have normalized. Close follow-up is still nec-
essary, because recurrence of MOE up to a year has been reported.
The role of hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) in managing MOE is not well
established. HBO increases the partial pressure of oxygen, improving hyp-
oxia and allowing greater oxidative killing of bacteria. Some authors have
advocated its use in MOE for refractory skull base osteomyelitis
[18,26,51,52] and intracranial involvement [53]. HBO requires daily treat-
ments for several weeks and side effects include oxygen toxicity, baro-
trauma, and tympanic membrane perforation. A thorough review of the
Cochrane Database, Medline, and Embase found no randomized controlled
trials of HBO in MOE and concluded that no clear evidence exists to show
the efficacy of HBO compared with antibiotic or surgical treatment [54].
Mortality from MOE has decreased from greater than 50% [2] to 0% to
15% [51]. Facial palsy has been suggested to signify poor prognosis, indicat-
ing the need for a longer course of treatment before recovery [4]. Poor prog-
nostic factors include Aspergillus infection [4] and MRI findings of middle
cranial fossa and foramen magnum dural enhancement [42]. In a recent
series of 23 patients, cranial nerve involvement was not associated with poorer
outcome, as was reported previously [7]. In this study, lower cranial nerve dys-
function exhibited good recovery, whereas facial nerve function improved but
some dysfunction persisted despite adequate treatment. These results indicate
that with current therapy, cranial nerve involvement does not preclude cure,
although patients may have incomplete recovery of facial nerve function.

Summary
MOE should be suspected in immunocompromised patients (especially
those who have diabetes) who have severe otalgia, purulent otorrhea, and

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 MALIGNANT OTITIS EXTERNA 547

granulation tissue or exposed bone in the external auditory canal. Prompt

diagnosis with nuclear and CT imaging, biopsy to rule out malignancy,
and culture (aerobic, anaerobic, and fungal) is essential. Antimicrobial
therapy, generally starting with a high-dose oral quinolone, may avert com-
plications of MOE, including cranial neuropathies and even death. Resolu-
tion of symptoms, especially pain, along with follow-up gallium scanning
directs length of therapy, which should continue for at least 6 weeks.

Acknowledgments
The authors wish to thank Brian Williamson, MD, for assistance with the
radiologic images and text.

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