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Journal article

Characteristics, management and outcome of a large necrotising otitis externa case series: need for standardised case definition

Abstract:

Background: Necrotising otitis externa is a severe ear infection for which there are no established diagnostic or treatment guidelines.

Method: This study described clinical characteristics, management and outcomes for patients managed as necrotising otitis externa cases at a UK tertiary referral centre.

Results: A total of 58 (63 per cent) patients were classified as definite necrotising otitis externa cases, 31 (34 per cent) as probable cases and 3 (3 per cent) as possible cases. Median duration of intravenous and oral antimicrobial therapy was 6.0 weeks (0.49–44.9 weeks). Six per cent of patients relapsed a median of 16.4 weeks (interquartile range, 23–121) after stopping antimicrobials. Twenty-eight per cent of cases had complex disease. These patients were older (p = 0.042), had a longer duration of symptoms prior to imaging (p < 0.0001) and higher C-reactive protein at diagnosis (p = 0.005). Despite longer courses of intravenous antimicrobials (23 vs 14 days; p = 0.032), complex cases were more likely to relapse (p = 0.016).

Conclusion: A standardised case-definition of necrotising otitis externa is needed to optimise diagnosis, management and research.

Publication status:
Published
Peer review status:
Peer reviewed

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Publisher copy:
10.1017/s002221512100462x

Authors

More by this author
Institution:
University of Oxford
Division:
MSD
Department:
NDM
Sub department:
Jenner Institute
Role:
Author
ORCID:
0000-0002-0895-3442


More from this funder
Funder identifier:
https://ror.org/0187kwz08
Grant:
CL-2016-13-008


Publisher:
Cambridge University Press
Journal:
Journal of Laryngology and Otology More from this journal
Volume:
136
Issue:
7
Pages:
604-610
Publication date:
2022-01-19
Acceptance date:
2021-07-30
DOI:
EISSN:
1748-5460
ISSN:
0022-2151
Pmid:
35042578


Language:
English
Keywords:
Pubs id:
1237573
Local pid:
pubs:1237573
Deposit date:
2025-04-23
ARK identifier:

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