[Fungal necrotizing external otitis].

OBJECTIVE

Fungal necrotizing otitis externa is rare, although its frequency has increased over the last few years. We report four cases, which to our knowledge make up the largest series published and discuss the main diagnostic problems and the management of this infection.

OBSERVATIONS

Our study investigated two men and two women, all diabetics, aged between 69 and 74 years. All four patients were first treated for bacterial necrotizing otitis externa. Diagnosis was reviewed after a lack of response to antibiotic therapy. Aspergillus flavus and Candida parapsilosis were the fungal agents isolated in each of the two patients. Diagnosis was established based on the pathological specimen for one patient. The last patient was treated without identifying the causal fungus. Two patients developed facial paralysis during disease progression. Treatment was based on intravenous amphotericin B and oral itraconazole. Three patients are now free of disease after a three- to six-month course of antifungal therapy; one patient was not followed up.

CONCLUSION

Fungal necrotizing otitis externa should be suspected in cases where there is no response to antipseudomonal antibiotic therapy. Deep biopsies from the external auditory canal or the mastoid are usually needed to confirm the diagnosis.