Invasive or Malignant External Otitis (MEO) Involving the Temporomandibular Joint: A Case Report

Abstract: The TemporoMandibular Joint (TMJ) and the External Acoustic Canal (EAC) are two adjacent structures and can be affected by the same disease process. Infection of the outer ear cavity can erode the thin anterior wall of the EAC and spread into the TMJ capsule, these infections of are termed as Invasive or Malignant External Otitis (MEO). The presence on MEO is seen mostly in elderly patients with suppressed immunity such as Diabetes, Cancer or patient under long term Steroids. Treatment includes surgical debridement followed by broad spectrum antibiotics, conservative meatal debridement and drainage, Local delivery of antibiotics, condylar shave or condylectomy with interpositional gap Arthroplasty and in some cases Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy. Here we are reporting a case MEO in a 59 year old male with Type 2 DM presenting as Chronic Recurrent Otitis Externa with septic Arthritis of the right TMJ treated with Debridement, Condylectomy and Interpoisitional Gap Arthroplasty with Temporalis Myofascial Flap.

Keywords: MEO, Otitis Externa, TMJ Septic Arthritis

Edition: Volume 10 Issue 2, February 2021,

Pages: 684 - 686