title: Myiasis of the ear: a review with entomological aspects for the otolaryngologist.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Myiasis is the infestation of live humans (or animals) by fly larvae. Although the diagnosis is relatively straightforward, how to best treat aural myiasis has not been well described in the literature. This comprehensive literature review, therefore, was performed to identify current management principles in aural myiasis, especially with regard to the causative fly family. In addition, we explore the possible relationship between aural myiasis and the highly lethal intracranial myiasis.
  
  
  METHODS
  Literature review using the Medline database (PubMed), Scopus, and Google Scholar.
  
  
  METHODS
  Manuscripts published in the English language between January 1, 1992, and December 31, 2012, were included.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Forty-five cases of aural myiasis were reported in 34 manuscripts. Most cases were caused by species of the Sarcophagidae family (n=26/45, 57.8%). The majority of cases (n=40/45, 88.9%) were successfully treated with simple aural toilet and topical treatments alone. No deaths were reported and no cases were seen in conjunction with intracranial myiasis.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Aural myiasis is a rare but benign fly infestation of the ear, most commonly by species of the Sarcophagidae family. The overwhelming majority of cases can be successfully managed without the need for surgical intervention.
authors.affiliation: Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, The Royal Darwin Hospital, Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia joshua.jervis-bardy@health.sa.gov.au.
authors.forename: Joshua
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Jervis-Bardy
authors.affiliation: Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, The Royal Darwin Hospital, Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia.
authors.forename: Nick
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Fitzpatrick
authors.affiliation: Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, The Royal Darwin Hospital, Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia.
authors.forename: Ajmal
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Masood
authors.affiliation: Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, The Royal Darwin Hospital, Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia.
authors.forename: Graeme
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Crossland
authors.affiliation: Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, The Royal Darwin Hospital, Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia.
authors.forename: Hemi
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Patel
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D004175:Diptera; D019468:Disease Management; D054644:Ear Auricle / Q000469:parasitology*; D004427:Ear Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000469:parasitology / Q000628:therapy; D004772:Entomology / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D007814:Larva; D009198:Myiasis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000469:parasitology / Q000628:therapy; D010036:Otolaryngology
keywords: Sarcophagidae; aural myiasis; maggots; otomyiasis; review; treatment