Otitis Externa and its Clinical Management

An ear is called a vestibule-cochlear organ since it enables to hear as well as sense of balance to animals. The external portion of the ear consist of a flap known as pinna and an opening at the base of the ear. Otitis externa is defined as an acute or chronic inflammation of the epithelium of the external ear canal which may also involve the pinna and it results from a combination of dynamic changes affecting the anatomical, psychological and microbiological status of the external ear canal. The etiological factors of the otitis externa can be categorised as predisposing factors, primary causes, perpetuating factors and secondary causes. Predisposing factors are those which increase the risk of developing otitis externa, whereas primary causes directly induces otitis externa. These long-term alterations causes the skin to be thicken, the canal to become stenosed, and a great deal of folds to form, all of which prevent the area from being cleaned effectively and serve as a breeding ground for secondary infections. Diagnosis of otitis externa is done by proper history and symptomatology, roll smear examination for mites and other cytological evidence, otoscopy, isolation and cultureantibiotic sensitivity test for selecting suitable antibiotic for treatment. Generally otitis externa can be treated by application of suitable cleansers, topical antibiotic and anti fungal therapy along with corticosteroids. Sometimes it is difficult to treat chronic and recurrent otitis externa.