Necrotizing external otitis caused byAspergillus fumigatus: computed tomography and high resolution magnetic resonance imaging in an AIDS patient

Abstract

abstractMost necrotizing (malignant) external otitis (NEO) occurs in diabetic patients and is commonly caused byPseudomonas aeruginosa. We report an acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) patient with NEO caused byAspergillus fumigatusin which computed tomography (CT) showed destructive petrous bone involvement and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the ear discovered extensive soft tissue and facial nerve involvement. Dedicated MRI studies of the ear in this type of pathology provide new insights relating to nerve dysfunction, that cannot be obtained with CT.