Temporal bone osteomyelitis and temporoparietal abscess secondary to malignant otitis externa.

OBJECTIVE: We report an advanced presentation of osteomyelitis of the temporal bone secondary to malignant otitis externa.

METHOD: We present a case report and a review of the world literature concerning osteomyelitis of the temporal bone secondary to malignant otitis externa.

RESULTS: A 60-year-old diabetic man developed osteomyelitis of the temporal bone and a temporoparietal abscess as advanced complications of malignant otitis externa. He was successfully treated in our institution using a post aural incision after draining the abscess and excising the fistula, a modified radical mastoidectomy with canal wall down procedure with sequesterectomy and debridement of surrounding area done.

CONCLUSION: The terms 'osteomyelitis of the temporal bone', 'skull base osteomyelitis' and 'malignant otitis externa' have not been clearly defined, and have in the past often been used interchangeably in the literature. Osteomyelitis of the temporal bone can occur secondary to malignant otitis externa, acute otitis media, chronic suppurative otitis media or trauma. Here, we present the management of an advanced case of osteomyelitis of the temporal bone.