Necrotizing External Otitis
Alternate Names : Malignant Otitis Externa, Necrotizing External Otitis
What are the signs and symptoms of the infection?
The first signs of infection are:
pain in the opening to the ear canal and ear flap
drainage of pus from the ear canal
low-grade fever
As the infection spreads into the bone, symptoms can include:
severe pain
thickening and swelling of the skin covering the temporal bone
high fever
a lot of swelling and infected material in the external canal
swelling of the skin around the ear
If the infection affects the nerves that control movement in the face,
facial paralysis or weakness may occur. Should the infection spread
to the inner ear, hearing loss and dizziness may result. The infection
can even spread to the brain, which may lead to meningitis.
This is an infection of the membrane covering the brain and spinal cord.
The brain material itself may also become infected.
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