Otomycoses’ Treatment in Sub-Saherian Africa: Experience of the Sédhiou ENT Service in the South of Senegal

Introduction: Otomycosis is a fungal infection mainly affecting the external ear. When the commensal flora of the skin of the external auditory canal is attacked, otomycosis occurs. Scientific literature reports a variable prevalence depending on the geographic areas. The aim of our study was to show our experience in the otomycoses’ treatment at the ATBRHC of Sédhiou, in a semi-rural environment. Method: This was a transversal study carried out in the service of Oto-Rhino-Laryngology and Cervico-Facial Surgery of the AMADOU Tidiane Ba Regional Hospital Center of Sédhiou over a period of 24 months, from January 1, 2022 to December 31, 2024. We included in the study all the patients who presented oto-microscopy. The parameters studied were epidemiological, clinical and therapeutic and evolutionary. Results: Otomycosis represented 5% of consultations and 68.18% of external ear infections. The median age of our patients was 33 years with extremes of 1 year and 87 years. The most represented age group was that of 21 - 40 years. Cleaning the cotton swab (56%), the atrial instillation of antibiotics + corticosteroids (52%), oils and plants (4%) were the harmful attitudes observed in our patients. The fungal aspects found at Otoscopy were: the microfilaments of blackish spores (41.33%), whitish (38.66%), yellowish (32%), wet blotting paper (18.66%). Treatment included local care and the use of local and systemic antifungal agents. The evolution was good in 66.67% of patients. Treatment resistance was found in 8 patients (10.66%) and recurrence in 6 patients (8%). Conclusion: Otomycosis is a frequent pathology in our hospital environment. Otoscopic examination must be meticulous to recognize its typical aspects. Treatment is usually based on local care; hygiene measures and antifungal ear drops.