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Osteomyelitis of the temporomandibular joint in patients with malignant otitis externa

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  29 June 2007

Katie I. Midwinter*
Affiliation:
Department of OtorhinolaryngologySt James's and Seacroft Hospital Trust, Leeds, UK.
Kanwar S. Gill
Affiliation:
Department of Radiology, St James's and Seacroft Hospital Trust, Leeds, UK.
John A. Spencer
Affiliation:
Department of Radiology, St James's and Seacroft Hospital Trust, Leeds, UK.
Iain D. Fraser
Affiliation:
Department of OtorhinolaryngologySt James's and Seacroft Hospital Trust, Leeds, UK.
*
Address for correspondence: Miss K. Midwinter, Department of ENT, Royal Hallamshire HospitalGlossop Road, Sheffield S10 2JF.

Abstract

Malignant (invasive) otitis externa is an infection involving the external ear canal, often in elderly diabetic patients, which carries a high morbidity and mortality. It may involve widespread areas of soft tissue around the skull base, and in more advanced cases, may give rise to osteomyelitis and cranial neuropathy. We describe two patients who were treated for malignant otitis externa complicated by destructive osteomyelitis of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ). For both patients, diagnosis was made using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and repeat scans were employed during follow-up. Improved scan appearances mirrored improvements in clinical condition in both cases.

Type
Clinical Records
Copyright
Copyright © JLO (1984) Limited 1999

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