A 35 years old man presents with a 2-day history of rapid-onset severe ear pain and fullness. The patient complains of otorrhea and mild decreased hearing, which he reports began after swimming. On examination he is afebrile and the external ear canal is diffusely swollen and erythematous. He has tenderness of the tragus and pain with movement of the auricle. The tympanic membrane is only partially visualized due to the swelling. What potential sequelae do you need to be concerned about?

Tympanic membrane perforation, cranial nerve palsy and necrotizing otitis externa (skull base osteomyelitis)

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This post was written by Omar Rifai