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CT and MRI in malignant external otitis: a report of four cases
A H Karantanas1, G Karantzas, V Katsiva
1Department of CT-MRI, Larissa General Hospital, 1 Tsakalof. Str., Larissa 412 21, Greece. apolsen@yahoo.com
Abstract:
Malignant external otitis (MEO) is a severe infection of the external auditory canal and skull base which most often affects elderly patients with diabetes mellitus. Early diagnosis and aggressive treatment are important in terms of reducing risks of dissemination. We report four cases of MEO in patients with diabetes mellitus who were observed with computed tomography (CT) and/or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). MRI was superior to CT in patients with MEO in terms of estimating the anatomic extent of the disease, but it cannot be used for monitoring therapy.
Insights
Malignant external otitis (MEO), a severe skull base infection, primarily affects elderly diabetics. MRI effectively assesses MEO
Area of Science:
- Otolaryngology
- Infectious Diseases
- Radiology
Background:
- Malignant external otitis (MEO) is a severe infection affecting the external auditory canal and skull base.
- It predominantly impacts elderly patients with diabetes mellitus.
- Early diagnosis and prompt treatment are crucial to prevent disease dissemination.
Observation:
- This study presents four cases of MEO in patients with diabetes mellitus.
- Computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) were utilized for observation.
- The cases highlight the role of advanced imaging in MEO management.
Findings:
- MRI demonstrated superiority over CT in delineating the anatomical extent of MEO.
- Imaging findings correlate with disease severity and potential complications.
- While MRI excels in initial staging, its utility in therapy monitoring is limited.
Implications:
- Accurate anatomical assessment via MRI is vital for effective MEO treatment planning.
- Understanding the limitations of MRI in therapy monitoring is important for clinical practice.
- This underscores the need for multimodal imaging and clinical assessment in managing MEO.