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Panel Presentations

Otology/Neurotology

When the Ear Won’t Stop Draining: Management of Persistent Otorrhea

Saturday, October 11, 2025
3:00 PM - 3:50 PM EDT
Location: Wabash Ballroom 3
PROGRAM DESCRIPTION: Persistent and/or recurrent otorrhea may present a diagnostic and therapeutic dilemma to both the general otolaryngologist and otologist. The goals of this panel presentation are to provide a practical approach to the evaluation and management of problematic ear drainage in the adult patient. The differential diagnosis will be discussed, including common etiologies such as cholesteatoma, refractory otitis externa, and chronic otitis media, in addition to less prevalent causes such as cerebrospinal fluid leak, skull base osteomyelitis, fungal infections, and autoimmune conditions and vasculitides. Case presentations will be used to illustrate the decision-making process behind initial medical therapies, the utility of imaging, and the role of surgical intervention.

OUTCOME OBJECTIVE 1: Describe the differential diagnosis of persistent otorrhea

OUTCOME OBJECTIVE 2: Discuss appropriate imaging in differentiating between etiologies of persistent otorrhea

OUTCOME OBJECTIVE 3: Recognize when surgical intervention is indicated for persistent otorrhea

BACKGROUND STATEMENT: Chronic otitis media and cholesteatoma are conditions encountered on a weekly, if not daily, basis by comprehensive otolaryngologists and otologists alike. Management of otorrhea associated with cholesteatoma as well as from other causes such as CSF leak poses unique challenges.

Comprehensive Otolaryngology Track Statement :

    Moderator(s)

  • Kevin Albert Peng, MD

    Surgeon, Associate Program Director
    House Ear Clinic
    Los Angeles, CA, United States

    Disclosure(s):

    faculty for this accredited education activity has no relationship(s) with ineligible companies to disclose.

    • Panelist(s)

  • CC

    Calhoun Cunningham, MD

    Coastal Carolina Otolaryngology, United States

    Disclosure information not submitted.

  • Marc K. Bassim, MD

    Section Head Otology and Neurotology
    Cleveland Clinic
    Cleveland, OH, United States

    Disclosure(s):

    faculty for this accredited education activity has no relationship(s) with ineligible companies to disclose.

  • Samuel P. Gubbels, MD

    Associate Professor
    University of Colorado School of Medicine Anschutz Medical Campus
    auror, CO, United States

    Disclosure(s):

    faculty for this accredited education activity has no relationship(s) with ineligible companies to disclose.