Characteristics, management and outcome of a large necrotising otitis externa case series: need for standardised case definition.

Background: Necrotising otitis externa is a severe ear infection for which there are no established diagnostic or treatment guidelines.

Method: This study described clinical characteristics, management and outcomes for patients managed as necrotising otitis externa cases at a UK tertiary referral centre.

Results: A total of 58 (63 per cent) patients were classified as definite necrotising otitis externa cases, 31 (34 per cent) as probable cases and 3 (3 per cent) as possible cases.