Background
Otitis externa due to fungal pathogens more commonly presents in
diabetic and immunocompromised patients. The symptoms are similar to
those with other causes of otitis externa; pruritis, ottorhoea, otalgia
and reduced hearing from oedema and/or accumulation of
debris1-4. Fungal pathogens are the cause of 10% of
otitis externa and lead to a loss of the protective lipid/acid balance
of ear. The predominant causative pathogens are Candida and Aspergillus
species2,3,5 colonising the squamous epithelium of the
external auditory canal. The mainstay of treatment is a combination of
microsuctioning, debridement and topical antifungal
treatment.3,6
This paper aims to summarise the management of tympanic membrane
perforations secondary to fungal otitis externa, an infrequently
reported consequence of suboptimal management of this condition.