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Hyperbaric oxygen as an adjuvant treatment for malignant otitis externaPhillips JS, Jones SEM
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SummaryThere is no clear evidence to demonstrate the effectiveness of hyperbaric oxygen therapy in the treatment of malignant otitis externaMalignant otitis externa is an uncommon, although potentially fatal, infection of the external ear canal including the surrounding soft tissue and bone. It is mainly found in the elderly or diabetics. Treatments include antibiotics, stringent diabetes control, the repeated removal of dead tissue and surgical management. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy is increasingly being used in addition to these treatments where facilities exist. The review found no trials to demonstrate that the addition of hyperbaric oxygen therapy offers a better outcome than the treatments alone. Further research is required.
This is a Cochrane review abstract and plain language summary, prepared and maintained by The Cochrane Collaboration, currently published in The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2008 Issue 2, Copyright © 2008 The Cochrane Collaboration. Published by John Wiley and Sons, Ltd.. The full text of the review is available in The Cochrane Library (ISSN 1464-780X).
This version first published online:
April 20. 2005 AbstractBackgroundMalignant, or necrotising, otitis externa is a potentially fatal infection of the external ear canal and surrounding soft tissue and bone. It may be complicated by involvement of cranial nerves, principally the facial nerves and the contents of the jugular foramen. It is an uncommon condition mainly found in the elderly or in diabetics. ObjectivesTo assess the effectiveness of adjunctive hyperbaric oxygen treatment for malignant otitis externa. Search strategyWe searched the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) (The Cochrane Library Issue 2, 2006), MEDLINE (January 1966 to June 2006) and EMBASE (January 1985 to June 2006) with pre-specified terms. The date of the last search was 28th June 2006. Selection criteriaRandomised controlled trials, involving adults, undergoing hyperbaric oxygen therapy in malignant otitis externa. Data collection and analysisNo identified articles described randomised controlled trials of hyperbaric oxygen therapy in the treatment of malignant otitis externa. Main resultsDue to the lack of data no results could be presented. Authors' conclusionsNo clear evidence exists to demonstrate the efficacy of hyperbaric oxygen therapy when compared to treatment with antibiotics and/or surgery. No data were found to compare rates of complication between the different treatment modalities. Further research is required. |