DOES DIABETES AFFECT EAR ?
Malignant otitis externa is a dangerous infection of the external ear that can also affect the middle and inner EAR skull base and the temporal bone that occurs in immunocompromised individuals like in Uncontrolled Type 2 Diabetes patients.
What are the symptoms of Necrotizing Otis externa
- High Grade fever
- Profuse purulent discharge in Ear
- Severe Ear pain which is more noctural
- Granuation tissue in the ear canal
- Severe itch
- Trouble in swallowing
- Facial muscle weakness
- Neck pain, Neck stiffness
How does Uncontrolled Diabetes affect ear ?
Uncobtrolled Diabetes mellitus can cause small-vessel vasculopathy which affects the small blood vessels and also causes immune dysfunction. Also strikingly in patients with uncontrolled diabetes , the cerumen found in the ear canal has an elevated pH but reduced lysozyme levels compared to normal standards, which simply means easy predisposition to infections. Necrotizing Otitis media is caused by microorganisms like Pseudomonas aeruginosa , klebsiella sp and certain fungus like Aspergillus
What are the complications of this condition?
NOE spreads through the fascial planes and causing erosion of bones and invasion of nearby tissues leading to involvement of cranial nerves and bones of the skull base . This can manifest as facial weakness , hoarseness of voice , difficulty in swallowing, Tongue weakness. Later stages may cause spread to pain brain oarenchyma causing brain abcess, seizures.
How is it diagnosed ?
The diagnosis is mainly clinical and by radiological findings in CT . You may also need a culture of pus ( a sample of the discharge ) of the ear or Biopsy of the granulation tissue from the external ear canal.
What is the treatment?
The main line of treatment is medical which involves
- Antibiotics, typically intravenously for first few days depending on the spread and extent of disease
- Corticosteroids which may be topically applied
- Strict and diligent Control of blood sugar levels which may need insulin therapy
- Some people may require hyperbaric oxygen therapy which speendens the recovery process by promoting local healing
- Usually, necrotizing otitis externa is treated with a 6-week course of antibiotics .
When to approach your doctor ?
It is advisable to approach your doctor whenever you have Profuse ear discharge (foul smelling ), Ear pain or any symptoms associated with complications such as facial weakness , Headache, Ear pain etc
Patients with diabetes should monitor their blood glucose levels frequently also their 3 month blood glucose levels ( HbA1C).
At RICHARDSON’S FACE HOSPITAL??
At Richardson Face hospital, we have the best team of Ent doctors ,and can provide prompt diagnosis and early treatment . Apart from early medical management , we also provide surgical facilities aimed at completeness of cure for advanced cases.
