ABSTRACT
Furunculosis is a localized form of otitis externa resulting from infection of a single hair follicle. Hair follicles are only present in the lateral (cartilaginous) segment of the external auditory canal. Furunculosis is therefore confined to the lateral canal. Symptoms do not usually discriminate furunculosis from severe diffuse otitis externa. The affected ear is extremely painful, feels blocked and exudes a scanty serosanguinous discharge. Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) is the most common organism causing furunculosis. Uncontrolled case series suggest that pathogenic strains of Staphylococcus aureus responsible for furunculosis (at all body sites; not restricted to otological ¬furunculosis) are of different phage types from Staphylococcus aureus causing other skin infections such as impetigo and scalded skin syndrome. Several conditions appear to be associated with recurrent furunculosis including hypogammaglobulinaemia, diabetes mellitus and dysphagocytosis. Furunculosis of the external canal is exquisitely painful and appropriate analgesics should be offered to all patients.
