RT Book, Section A1 Shah, Rahul K. A1 Shah, Udayan K. A2 Shah, Samir S. SR Print(0) ID 6905278 T1 Chapter 29. Otitis Externa T2 Pediatric Practice: Infectious Disease YR 2009 FD 2009 PB The McGraw-Hill Companies PP New York, NY SN 978-0-07-148924-9 LK accesspediatrics.mhmedical.com/content.aspx?aid=6905278 RD 2024/10/07 AB Otitis externa (OE) or “swimmer's ear” is commonly defined as an inflammation of the external auditory canal (EAC).* Up to 10% of all persons may experience an episode of OE during their lifetime.1,2 OE most often besets children during the summer months, and can be painful and difficult to manage because of the confines of the ear canal. Early diagnosis and a stepwise treatment approach, including debridement and ototopical therapy, and on occasion systemic antimicrobials, are critical to expedient management. This chapter will review the epidemiology, pathogenesis, management, and complications of OE to facilitate an expeditious and cost-effective treatment for this common disease.