Malignant external otitis: CT evaluation

Journal Article · Sun Oct 31 23:00:00 EST 1982 · Radiology; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1148/radiology.145.2.7134442· OSTI ID:6420555

Curtin, H D; Wolfe, P; May, M

Malignant external otitis is an aggressive infection caused by Pseudomonas aeruginosa that most often occurs in elderly diabetics. Malignant external otitis often spreads inferiorly from the external canal to involve the subtemporal area and progresses medially towards the petrous apex leading to multiple cranial nerve palsies. The computed tomographic (CT) findings in malignant external otitis include obliteration of the normal fat planes in the subtemporal area as well as patchy destruction of the bony cortex of the mastoid. The point of exit of the various cranial nerves can be identified on CT scans, and the extent of the inflammatory mass correlates well with the clinical findings. Four cases of malignant external otitis are presented. In each case CT provided a good demonstration of involvement of the soft tissues at the base of the skull.

• Research Organization: Univ. of Pittsburg, PA
• OSTI ID: 6420555
• Journal Information: Radiology; (United States), Journal Name: Radiology; (United States) Vol. 145:2; ISSN RADLA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

550602* -- Medicine-- External Radiation in Diagnostics-- (1980-)
62 RADIOLOGY AND NUCLEAR MEDICINE
AUDITORY ORGANS
BACTERIA
BACTERIAL DISEASES
BODY
COMPUTERIZED TOMOGRAPHY
DIAGNOSIS
DIAGNOSTIC TECHNIQUES
DISEASES
INFECTIOUS DISEASES
MICROORGANISMS
NERVES
NERVOUS SYSTEM
ORGANS
PATIENTS
PSEUDOMONAS
SENSE ORGANS
TOMOGRAPHY