Malignant otitis externa, left ear

This diagnosis code signifies a severe, invasive infection of the external auditory canal and surrounding soft tissues, specifically affecting the left ear. Malignant otitis externa is typically caused by Pseudomonas aeruginosa and is characterized by osteomyelitis of the skull base, often seen in immunocompromised individuals.

Assign this code when documentation clearly indicates a diagnosis of malignant otitis externa localized to the left ear. This diagnosis is often supported by clinical findings such as severe otalgia, purulent otorrhea, granulation tissue in the external auditory canal, and imaging evidence of bone erosion.

• Ensure documentation specifies "malignant" otitis externa, not just a severe external ear infection.
• Verify laterality; this code is specific to the left ear.
• Consider sequencing this code as the primary diagnosis when it is the reason for the encounter.