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Carcinoma of temporal bone presenting as malignant otitis externa

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  29 June 2007

B. A. Al-Shihabi*
Affiliation:
Stoke-on-Trent
*
Mr B. A. Al-Shihabi, M.Sc. (London), F.R.C.S., The Royal National Throat, Nose and Ear Hospital, 330 Grays Inn Road, London WC1X8DA

Abstract

A 69-year-old man presented with a three-month history of otalgia and tenderness of the right ear and a one-week history of a painful right parotid swelling. Examination revealed granulation tissue in the right ear canal with normal looking tympanic membranes and a parotid abscess. Repeated biopsies from the ear canal and parotid showed non-specific inflammation. Repeated cultures from both areas grew Ps. aeruginosa. The patient's condition improved following three weeks of intensive treatment for malignant otitis externa only to relapse five weeks after the end of treatment. He received a second course, only to improve temporarily. He developed a right facial nerve palsy five weeks after he was first seen, followed four months later by palsies of all cranial nerves except the olfactory, before dying, seven months after his first appointment.

The radiological, histological and post-mortem findings are discussed.

Type
Clinical Records
Copyright
Copyright © JLO (1984) Limited 1992

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