Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 12, 2026
03:42
High-Speed Human Temporal Bone Sectioning for the Assessment of COVID-19-Associated Middle Ear Pathology
Published on: May 18, 2022
Necrotizing external otitis: a report of 46 cases
Valerie Franco-Vidal1, Harold Blanchet, Cécile Bebear
1Otolaryngology and Skull Base Surgery Department, Pellegrin Hospital, France. valerie.vidal@chu-bordeaux.fr
Summary
Necrotizing external otitis, often caused by Pseudomonas aeruginosa, can be effectively treated with ceftazidime and ciprofloxacin. Facial paralysis and immune deficiency are key indicators of poor prognosis.
Area of Science:
- Infectious Diseases
- Otolaryngology
- Microbiology
Background:
- Necrotizing external otitis (NEO) is a severe infection of the external auditory canal.
- Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a common pathogen, often exhibiting antibiotic resistance.
Purpose of the Study:
- To define the causative organisms, clinical presentation, treatment, and prognostic factors in necrotizing external otitis.
- To evaluate the efficacy of ceftazidime and ciprofloxacin in treating NEO.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective study of 46 patients over 10 years.
- Diagnosis confirmed by otomicroscopy, CT/MRI, and bone scintigraphy.
- Treatment involved intravenous ceftazidime and ciprofloxacin.
Main Results:
- Otalgia and otorrhea were the most common symptoms (97.8%, 91.3%).
- Pseudomonas aeruginosa was isolated in 69.2% of cases; 18.5% resistant to ciprofloxacin.
- Healing rate was 95.6%; facial paralysis and immune deficiency significantly impacted prognosis.
Conclusions:
- Ceftazidime and ciprofloxacin combination effectively countered P. aeruginosa resistance.
- A prognostic classification for NEO based on facial paralysis and systemic immune factors is proposed.