Skull base osteomyelitis secondary to malignant otitis externa.
OBJECTIVE
Skull base osteomyelitis secondary to malignant otitis externa was first described in 1959. Since then, advances have been made in the diagnosis, treatment, and clinical outcomes of this condition.


RESULTS
This review discusses the pathophysiology and microbiology of malignant otitis externa. The review highlights the sometimes subtle presenting symptoms and recent advances in imaging and their practical application to diagnosing and monitoring the disease. Therapy for malignant otitis externa has changed since this entity was first described; this article reviews the medical, surgical, and adjuvant therapies and the relevant controversies.


CONCLUSIONS
The review discusses the history, pathogenesis, diagnosis, and treatment of skull base osteomyelitis in the context of malignant otitis externa with particular emphasis on HIV, children, and other immunodeficient states.
D017088:AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy; D000890:Anti-Infective Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002648:Child; D005710:Gallium Radioisotopes; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008416:Mastoid / Q000473:pathology; D009181:Mycoses / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy; D010019:Osteomyelitis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000382:microbiology / Q000628:therapy; D010032:Otitis Externa / Q000150:complications* / Q000382:microbiology; D011552:Pseudomonas Infections / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy; D012307:Risk Factors; D019291:Skull Base / Q000382:microbiology / Q000473:pathology*; D017556:Technetium Compounds; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed
D000890:Anti-Infective Agents; D005710:Gallium Radioisotopes; D017556:Technetium Compounds