Retroauricular region involvement during otitis externa caused by P. aeruginosa

Introduction. Diffuse otitis externa is one of the causes of ear pain, especially in school-age children. Risk factors for the disease include skin damage during cleaning audito ry canal, moisture exposure, anatomical factors, and dermatological comorbidities. Aim. The aim of the study was to present clinical picture, differential diagnosis and method of treatment of diffuse otitis externa based on cases of patients hospitalized in the Department of Pediatric Otolaryngology of the Medical University of Warsaw. Material and Methods. A retrospective analysis of the clinical presentation and diagnostic tests of 12 cases of children with diffuse otitis externa hospitalized in the Department of Pediatric Otolaryngology of the Medical University of Warsaw from 1st March 2017 to 1st March 2018 was conducted. Results. The most common etiological factor of diffuse otitis externa was Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Over half of the patients presented an involvement of retroauricular region during otitis externa. All the patients were treated with local and intravenous antibiotics. Conclusions. Atypical course associated with the spread of inflammation to the retroauricular region may lead to an erroneous diagnosis of otitis externa as a complication of otitis media. Treatment is difficult due to severe pain and resistance of P. aeruginosa to most antibiotics.