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Spectrum of radiological appearances of necrotising external otitis: a pictorial review

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  16 August 2011

P Mehrotra ,
M R Elbadawey  and
I Zammit-Maempel
P Mehrotra*
Affiliation:
Department of Radiology, Freeman Hospital, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
M R Elbadawey
Affiliation:
Department of ENT Surgery, Freeman Hospital, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
I Zammit-Maempel
Affiliation:
Department of Radiology, Freeman Hospital, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
*
Address for correspondence: Dr P Mehrotra, Specialist Registrar in Radiology, Radiology Department, Freeman Hospital, Freeman Road, Newcastle upon Tyne NE7 7DN, UK E-mail: mehr75@doctors.org.uk
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Abstract

Necrotising external otitis, also known as malignant otitis externa, is an aggressive, resorptive osteomyelitis of the temporal bone. Although rare, necrotising external otitis is a potentially fatal disease, with complications which include temporomandibular joint osteomyelitis, sigmoid sinus thrombosis and meningitis. Imaging findings may be subtle, particularly in the early stages. We present a broad range of imaging findings which may occur in necrotising external otitis cases.

Keywords

Malignant Otitis ExternaOtitis ExternaTemporal BoneOsteitisRadiology
Type
Review Articles
Information
The Journal of Laryngology & Otology , Volume 125 , Issue 11 , November 2011 , pp. 1109 - 1115
Copyright
Copyright © JLO (1984) Limited 2011

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