A 68-year-old diabetic male presents with persistent ear discharge with fever and headache. He complained of pain out of propoion. On examination, granulations and tenderness are observed on the floor of the external auditory canal along with facial nerve palsy. He is not responding to antibiotics. What is the most probable diagnosis?
High-Yield Explanation
Ans. a. Malignant otitis externa Presence of a painful lesion in the external ear with the evidence of granulation tissue and associated cranial nerve palsies (VII nerve) in a diabetic (or immunocompromised) patient suggest a diagnosis of malignant otitis externa.