Fungal malignant otitis externa treated with hyperbaric oxygen.

OBJECTIVE: To report a case of Aspergillus flavus malignant otitis externa, successfully treated with antifungal agents, surgical debridement, and hyperbaric oxygen treatment.

PATIENT: The case was a 77-year-old man with non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus, who presented with otalgia and purulent otorrhea. Intervention was with surgical debridement, antifungal agents, and hyperbaric oxygen treatment. The main outcome measures were radiological and histological findings.

CONCLUSIONS: A. flavus is a rare cause of malignant otitis externa. Aggressive treatment should include surgical debridement, with appropriate antifungal agents and hyperbaric oxygen therapy.