A Study on the Systemic Inflammatory Index (SII) and Related Factors in Patients with Malignant Otitis Externa

Purpose: This study aims to investigate the relationship between systemic inflammatory index and various clinical and microbiological factors in patients with malignant otitis externa (MOE). Materials and methods: In this retrospective study, patients diagnosed with MOE and treated between January 2017 and March 2023 were examined. The data include clinical evaluations, laboratory tests, and imaging results. All patients underwent computed tomography of the temporal bone, and MOE was staged according to Tengku's radiological classification .SII was calculated using neutrophil, platelet, and lymphocyte counts. Results: 11 patients were examined retrospectively, including 8 males (72.7%) and 3 females (27.3%). The mean age of the patients was 72.3±7.5 years. Comorbidities such as Diabetes Mellitus (DM) and Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) were associated with higher SII values. CT phases and cranial nerve involvement were also related to high SII values. Microbiological analyses showed that pathogens such as Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Candida tropicalis were associated with high SII values. Conclusion: SII is an important biomarker in evaluating the prognosis and treatment response in MOE. Early diagnosis, a multidisciplinary approach, and personalized treatment strategies are critical in managing MOE. Further studies involving larger patient groups will contribute to validating these relationships and improving treatment processes .