skip to main content

Malignant Otitis Externa — SCE Infectious Diseases MCQ

Instant feedback + full explanation. One question, done properly.

HardBone & Joint InfectionMalignant Otitis ExternaSCE Infectious Diseases

Necrotising otitis externa with skull-base osteomyelitis is improving on intravenous ciprofloxacin, and the isolate is susceptible. Which oral-switch principle is reasonable?

Educational content. Not a substitute for clinical judgement or local policy.

Reveal the answer and explanation

Correct answer: E — Oral ciprofloxacin may complete therapy under specialist supervision because of high bioavailability, provided clinical and inflammatory response is sustained with follow-up

The best answer is “Oral ciprofloxacin may complete therapy under specialist supervision because of high bioavailability, provided clinical and inflammatory response is sustained with follow-up”. A susceptible organism, clinical stability and an oral agent with reliable exposure can permit supervised step-down; duration and imaging are individualised. “Switch only if the isolate is susceptible to meropenem” does not match the decisive clinical feature or cited guidance. “Use doxycycline because it is universally antipseudomonal” does not match the decisive clinical feature or cited guidance. “Require surgical debridement before any oral switch” does not match the decisive clinical feature or cited guidance. “Keep every patient on intravenous therapy for the entire course regardless of response” does not match the decisive clinical feature or cited guidance.

Reference: NICE CKS otitis externa: https://cks.nice.org.uk/topics/otitis-externa/