A case of malignant otitis externa following mastoidectomy

We present a case of a 63-year-old diabetic male who developed malignant otitis externa following mastoidectomy. Extensive skull base osteomyelitis caused thrombosis of the jugular bulb and subsequent paralysis of cranial nerves VII, IX, X and XII. He was treated aggressively with intravenous antibiotics 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 otitis externa to occur following mastoidectomy with complete recovery of the cranial nerve paresis.