Otitis externa
Synopsis
Patients with OE present with severe ear pain with tenderness on palpation of the external ear. Other symptoms include erythema, edema, hearing loss, pruritus, and discharge. OE is also known as swimmer's ear, as it is historically seen in those who have spent time in water, but it can also be seen in diabetic individuals.
The etiology of OE includes disruption of normal protective barriers such as cerumen, which serves as a mechanical barrier and acidifies the ear, helping inhibit infection. Entry of water, bacteria, or other debris into the ear canal is a major contributor to formation of infection. Other risk factors include ear trauma, scratching, swabbing, hearing aids, earphones, earplugs, or any foreign body insertion, as these create conditions under which bacterial infection can spread. Furthermore, OE can manifest in environments with high humidity or secondary to perspiration. It is seen in patients with chronic dermatologic conditions including eczema, psoriasis, acne, and seborrheic dermatitis, and in patients who have undergone radiation therapy, which can damage cerumen production.
Codes
H60.90 – Unspecified otitis externa, unspecified ear
SNOMEDCT:
3135009 – Otitis externa
Look For
Subscription Required
Diagnostic Pearls
Subscription Required
Differential Diagnosis & Pitfalls
Subscription Required
Best Tests
Subscription Required
Management Pearls
Subscription Required
Therapy
Subscription Required
References
Subscription Required
Last Updated:07/31/2019