Dermatophytosis of the ear.
OBJECTIVE
The prevalence and characteristics of patients with and without dermatophytosis of the ear were investigated.


METHODS
Prospective clinical study. In 54 patients who complained of slight itching or accumulation of cerumen, and/or who had erythema and scales in the ears, the presence of dermatophytosis was examined by potassium hydroxide and dimethyl sulfoxide (KOH-DMSO test).


RESULTS
Nineteen patients had dermatophytosis of the ear. Dermatophytosis was more frequent in May and June. Other clinical characteristics did not differ markedly from those without dermatophytosis.


CONCLUSIONS
About one third of patients had dermatophytosis and their characteristics were similar to those of patients without dermatophytosis except for seasonal variation.


CONCLUSIONS
Dermatophytosis of the ear may be increased. Its diagnosis is difficult without the KOH-DMSO test.
Morinaka
Setsuko
S
Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Kobe Japanpost Hospital, Japan. smorinakaent@yahoo.co.jp
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003881:Dermatomycoses / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000473:pathology*; D004121:Dimethyl Sulfoxide; D004427:Ear Diseases / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006878:Hydroxides; D007202:Indicators and Reagents / Q000494:pharmacology; D008297:Male; D008828:Microbiological Techniques / Q000379:methods; D008875:Middle Aged; D017680:Potassium Compounds; D015995:Prevalence; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013048:Specimen Handling
D006878:Hydroxides; D007202:Indicators and Reagents; D017680:Potassium Compounds; C029943:potassium hydroxide; D004121:Dimethyl Sulfoxide