Large discrepancies in otomycosis treatment in private ear, nose, and throat clinics in Denmark.

INTRODUCTION: Otomycosis is a fungal infection of the external ear canal that can involve the middle ear in case of tympanic membrane perforation and also extend to the auricle. Fungi cause 7-15% of external otitis. Diagnosing otomycosis is often based entirely on non-specific clinical signs and symptoms. A multitude of antifungal drugs are available. Some are ototoxic in animals, a few are proven safe, but the ototoxicity of many drugs remains unknown. The aim of this study was to describe how otomycosis was diagnosed and treated by private ear, nose, and throat (ENT) consultants in Denmark and to investigate if the patient's immune status and the presence of a tympanic membrane perforation affected the chosen treatment modality. METHOD: A questionnaire on the treatment of otomycosis was sent to 147 private ENT consultants. RESULTS: In total, 103 (70%) responded. 95% performed intensive aural cleaning using an otomicroscope. The initial diagnosis was based on symptoms as only 20% required to see fungal hypha. 42% sent material for culture and sensitivity (C + S) before starting treatment and 92% sent for C + S if treatment failed. 89% used a variety of topical antifungal drugs as the first line of medical treatment. Antiseptics were used in 5%. The presence of a tympanic membrane perforation did not alter the treatment modality. Only 13% treated immunocompromised patients differently. CONCLUSION: The initial diagnosis was based on non-specific symptoms and there were large discrepancies in the chosen antifungal treatment. Topical antifungal drugs were preferred. Additional research is needed. FUNDING: Department of Otorhinolaryngolgy and Maxillofacial Surgery, Zealand University Hospital, Køge, Denmark. The Danish Association of Research-interested Otorhinolaryngology Consultants: Kim Werther, Peter Tingsgaard, Mads Stougaard, Steen Telmer, Henrik Møller, Liviu Guldfred. TRIAL REGISTRATION: No trial registration was necessary as the questionnaire was anonymous and contained no patient data.

Fungal otitis externa as a cause of tympanic membrane perforation: a case series.

We describe a series of 11 patients--8 men and 3 women, aged 18 to 70 years (mean: 46.0)--who had fungal otitis externa that had been complicated by a tympanic membrane perforation. These patients had been referred to us for evaluation of chronic, mostly treatment-refractory otitis externa, which had manifested as otorrhea, otalgia, and/or pruritus. Seven of the 11 patients had no history of ear problems prior to their current condition. Five patients had been referred to us by a primary care physician and 4 by an otolaryngologist; the other 2 patients were self-referred. All patients were treated with a thorough debridement of the ear and one of two antifungal medication regimens. Eight of the 11 patients experienced a complete resolution of signs and symptoms, including closure of the tympanic membrane perforation. The other 3 patients underwent either a tympanoplasty (n = 2) or a fat-graft myringotomy (n = 1) because the perforation did not close within a reasonable amount of time. This series demonstrates that the nonspecific signs and symptoms of fungal otitis externa can make diagnosis difficult for both primary care physicians and general otolaryngologists. This study also demonstrates that most cases of tympanic membrane perforation secondary to fungal otitis externa will resolve with cleaning of the ear and proper medical treatment. Therefore, most patients with this condition will not require surgery.