Aural irrigation with water: a potential pathogenic mechanism for inducing malignant external otitis?

We hypothesized that the forcible introduction of water containing Pseudomonas aeruginosa into the ear canal of a susceptible host (an elderly diabetic with cutaneous hypoperfusion secondary to microangiopathy) was the inciting factor in the development of malignant external otitis. Tap water irrigation of the ears by a physician preceded the onset of symptoms in 61.5% (8/13) of cases of malignant external otitis. Two control subjects with known diabetes mellitus were matched for each patient by sex and age. Both groups were questioned on the nature and degree of aural water exposure, as well as history of ear disease. There were no significant differences between 13 patients and 26 control subjects for presence of ear disease (hearing loss, chronic infection, prior operations), swimming, showering, bathing, frequency of ear cleaning, or method of ear cleaning (washcloth, cotton applicator). Patients with malignant external otitis had a statistically significant higher incidence of aural irrigation with tap water when compared with control subjects. We suggest that a substantial number of cases of malignant external otitis may be iatrogenic.