Otitis Externa - III

• Localized bacterial infection of a hair follicle, in the skin lining of the outer cartilaginous part of the external auditory canal.

• Causative Organism: Staphylococcus aureus.

• Predisposing Factors:

1. Trauma or scratching the canal skin by a contaminated ear bud or hair pin.
2. Diabetes mellitus ≫ recurrent cases.

• Clinical picture: and differential diagnosis (see mastoiditis).

• 

• Figure 23: A fruncle in the external auditory canal.

• Investigations: Detection of blood sugar level, especially in bilateral and recurrent cases.

• Treatment:

1. Systemic treatment: antibiotics (anti-staphylococcal) and analgesics.
2. Local treatment:

• Aural toilet i.e. repeated removal of the ear discharge by suction or dry mopping.

• Packing the canal with a gauze strip soaked with glycerin ichthyol 10% (glycerin is hygroscopic i.e. decreases edema) or antibiotic drops.

• No squeezing ≫ perichondritis.

Category: ENT Notes