Malignant external otitis

Malignant external otitis was first identified by Chandler in 1968 as a significant otologic entity. Since then its mortality rate has steadily declined. This is due to increased awareness, earlier diagnosis and appropriate antibiotic therapy. A review of five years' experience with this condition at Mount Sinai Hospital, Toronto, is presented. The use of radionuclide scanning in diagnosis and determining duration of therapy is stressed.