Necrotizint external otitis with peripheral facial paralysis and cavernous sinus thrombosis

case report

Abstract

Necrotizing external otitis (NEO), formerly known as malignant external otitis (MEO), strikes the external auditory canal, causing severe otalgia, fetid otorrhea, and in more severe cases, impairment of the skull bones and neurological deficit. The most common etiological agent is Pseudomonas aeruginosa. It mainly affects elderly, diabetic and immunodepressed patients. Cranial nerve impairment leading to facial paralysis and intracranial sinus thrombosis are of bad prognos. The diagnosis depends on the clinical suspicion. Complementary exams are imprecise, although essential in the follow-up. The multidisciplinary approach is always recommended. The objective of this paper is to report the clinical complications of a case of necrotizing external otitis with facial paralysis and cavernous sinus thrombosis, leading to death.