Imran Saeed, Sarwat Hassan Syed, Ramzan Ali, Nasir Riaz, Atiq-ur Rehman, Shamila Afshan.
Frequency of malignant otitis externa using CT scan in uncontrolled diabetics with positive aural culture.
Pak J Med Health Sci Jan ;13(4):900-2.

Background: Diagnosis of malignant otitis externa has always been a challenge for an otorhinolaryngologist. Various imaging studies can detect the disease, but these are expensive and are not routinely used. Out of these, the role of CT scan which is cheaper and easily available, has been studied and found successful by many authors. However, the results need validation. Aim : To determine the frequency of malignant otits externa using CT scan in uncontrolled diabetics with positive aural culture for pseudomonas aerogenosa Methods: It was a Cross sectional survey. The participants enrolled after taking consents from 50 patients of ENT Unit I, Jinnah Hospital, Lahore for the period of Six months: from 30-05-2009 to 30-11-2009. Fifty patients with uncontrolled diabetes mellitus and positive pseudomonas culture were enrolled. CT scans were done in all patients. CT findings suggestive of malignant otitis externa that included bony erosion, soft tissues, intracranial and extracranial involvement were noted. Diagnosis of malignant otitis externa was established based on CT findings. Data was collected on a specially designed Proforma. The data was analyzed by SPSS 20. Results: A total of 50 patients had CT scan. Diagnosis of malignant otits externa was established in 36 (72%) patients based on CT scan findings. Bony erosion was noticed in all (100%) the patients in whom diagnosis of malignant otitis externa was established. Conclusion: CT scan can be used for establishing diagnosis of malignant otitis externa. It is also an excellent modality in detecting bony erosions associated with malignant otitis externa.

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