INTEGRATED APPROACH TO THE TREATMENT OF PATIENTS WITH OTITIS EXTERNA

The prevalence of inflammatory diseases of the external ear is 17 to 30% among all otological pathology. Environmental deterioration, increased level of antibiotic resistance, increase in number of people with metabolic disorders, immune status disorders, including allergo-pathology, irrational treatment of acute inflammatory diseases, delayed visiting an ENT doctor, and a number of other aspects contribute to the growth of rate of these diseases. The article provides an overview of inflammatory diseases of the external ear, and the modern classification of otitis externa. Anatomic and topographic features of the external ear contributing to inflammation, and the main infectious agents are presented. The issues of diagnosis and treatment of otitis externa, which are based on an integrated approach, are discussed. The authors also give recommendations for patients with otitis on proper care of the ears, and practical advices for the doctors.

otitis externa, otomycosis, malignant otitis externa, earache, topical treatment