Keywords: malignant otitis externa, facial palsy, diabetes, immunodeficiency

Abstract: Malignant otitis externa (MOE) is a rare disease usually found in elderly diabetics patients. We present a case of adult patient, diabetic, with a first diagnosis of abscess of the tragus and in the evolution of the treatment a definitive diagnosis of MOE was done. The patient developed extensive arcas of-necrosis of the auricular pavilion and extemal ear canal. This complication occurs mainly in the pediatric patient, but not in adult diabetic like this one described.