Acute pseudomonas infection of the external ear (malignant external otitis).

Pseudomonas aeruginosa commonly causes low-grade infections of the external auditory canal. If these infections are inadequately treated, they can progress into a severe form of external otitis called malignant external otitis (MEO). MEO usually occurs in elderly diabetic patients and demands immediate diagnosis and medical therapy in order to prevent systemic invasion, neurologic sequelae, and even death. We present two cases of acute pseudomonas infections of the ear, neither of which progressed to MEO due to early implementation of antibiotic therapy.