| Description |
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Chronic otitis externa is an indolent inflammation of the external ear canal. In contrast to acute otitis externa, chronic otitis externa is usually a painless condition in which itching and scanty otorrhea are the predominant symptoms. Clinically, the skin of the external canal is shiny, often erythematous, and normal cerumen is usually absent. With time, the underlying dermis may thicken, producing a condition known as chronic hypertrophic otitis externa. There is marked hyperemia of the skin in the deep canal and the tympanic membrane is obscured by a yellowish purulent exudate. |
