Necrotizing external otitis: aminoglycoside and β-lactam antibiotic treatment combined with surgical treatment

• Published in: Clinical otolaryngology and allied sciences 1997-06, Vol.22 (3), p.271-274
• Main Authors: PEDERSEN, H.B., ROSBORG, J.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Aged; Aminoglycosides; Anti-Bacterial Agents - therapeutic use; beta-Lactams; Debridement; Diabetes Complications; Drug Administration Schedule; Drug Therapy, Combination - therapeutic use; Female; Follow-Up Studies; Humans; Male; Necrosis; Otitis Externa - complications; Otitis Externa - drug therapy; Otitis Externa - surgery; otitis externa diagnosis; otitis externa necrotizing; Pseudomonas Infections - complications; Pseudomonas Infections - drug therapy; Pseudomonas Infections - surgery; Recurrence; Retrospective Studies; Time Factors
• ISSN: 0307-7772; 1365-2273
• DOI: 10.1046/j.1365-2273.1997.00032.x

Necrotizing external otitis is a life‐threatening condition that still causes therapeutic problems. A retrospective analysis of 22 patients who were all treated with a short standard course of aminoglycoside and β‐lactam antibiotic with thorough local debridement was carried out; 50% (11/22) had diabetes mellitus, and all had a positive culture of Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The frequency of recurrence was 14% (3/22), and 95% (21/22) were eventually cured. The treatment course lasted 17 days on average. Side effects caused by the drug treatment were seen in 14% (3/22), but they were mild and transient consisting of a reversible increase of the serum creatinine level. It was concluded that the treatment was short, efficient, safe, and as successful as treatment with quinolones or third‐generation cephalosporins which has been reported during the past years. In our opinion, therefore, these drugs should be reserved for cases of treatment failure, development of resistance, or side effects.