Sandbox:Otitis externa classification

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Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Luke Rusowicz-Orazem, B.S.

Classification

Otitis externa is classified by duration, diffusion, and symptom severity.

Acute Otitis Externa

• Otitis externa is characterized as "acute" if the following conditions are satisfied:
  • Onset within 48 hours.
  • Primarily caused by bacterial infection of Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus.
  • Otalgia and feelings of itchiness or "fullness" of the ear canal.
  • Erythema or edema of ear canal.
  • Tenderness of the tragus and pinna.
• Hearing loss is not usually associated with acute presentations of otitis externa.
• Acute otitis externa is treated with topical or systemic antibiotics for 7-10 days.
• Clinical response will usually be seen within 48-72 hours; full symptom resolution is usually achieved within 14 days.
• Acute otitis externa is localized to the ear canal and is not characterized by diffusion of infection throughout the ear and head.