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Radiographic findings in progressive necrotizing “malignant” external otitis
Author(s) -
Gold Scott,
Som Peter M.,
Lucente Frank E.,
Lawson William,
Mendelson Meryl,
Parisier Simon C.
Publication year - 1984
Publication title -
the laryngoscope
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.181
H-Index - 148
eISSN - 1531-4995
pISSN - 0023-852X
DOI - 10.1288/00005537-198403000-00013
Subject(s) - medicine , skull , soft tissue , radiography , otitis , radiology , osteomyelitis , parapharyngeal space , surgery
Twenty‐three cases of progressive necrotizing (malignant) external otitis were reviewed. Radiographic evaluation was correlated with clinical disease. CT scanning accurately demonstrated subtle foci of involvement in the skull base which may be clinically unsuspected or go undetected with other studies. Central skull base erosion indicates advanced disease and selects those patients requiring extended antibiotic therapy. Soft tissue thickening of the parapharyngeal space and roof of the nasopharynx also implies advanced disease requiring prolonged therapy. Soft tissue improvement can be visualized on CT. While CT scanning demonstrates the progression of bony disease, it cannot be used to follow resolution of central skull base osteomyelitis. Radionuclide scans provide information regarding the overall extent of the inflammatory process.