Otitis externa classification
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Luke Rusowicz-Orazem, B.S.; Tarek Nafee, M.D. [2]
Overview
Otitis externa is classified as acute, chronic, or malignant based on the duration of the disease, diffusion of the infection, and the severity of symptoms.
Classification
Otitis externa is classified by duration, diffusion, and symptom severity.
Acute Otitis Externa
- Onset within 48 hours.[1]
- Acute otitis externa is localized to the [[ear canal]..
Chronic Otitis Externa
- Otitis externa is considered chronic in cases that persist greater than 3 months with treatment.[1]
Malignant Necrotizing Otitis Externa
- Acute otitis externa becomes reclassified as malignant and necrotizing when the infectious pathogen diffuses from the ear canal and infects the temporal bones, as well as bones in the ear adjacent to the canal, leading to damage and degradation.[2][3]
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Hui CP (2013). “Acute otitis externa”. Paediatr Child Health. 18 (2): 96–101. PMC 3567906. PMID 24421666.
- ↑ Handzel O, Halperin D (2003). “Necrotizing (malignant) external otitis”. Am Fam Physician. 68 (2): 309–12. PMID 12892351.
- ↑ “Malignant otitis externa: MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia”.
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