Complications

Complication
Timeframe
Likelihood
short term
medium

This is secondary to a hypersensitivity reaction from the medication, most commonly neomycin. Cessation of the offending ear drop and the use of other topical agents (e.g., ciprofloxacin/dexamethasone otic) usually help.

variable
medium

Occurs mainly in association with necrotizing otitis externa. One case series found 40% (15/37) of patients had facial nerve palsy and 24% (9/37) had multiple cranial nerve palsies.[65]

variable
low

A complication of necrotizing otitis externa that requires prolonged intravenous antibiotic treatment (for months), tends to recur, and has a significant mortality rate.

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