Benign otitis externa is a condition of the external canal that occurs usually in summer due to chronic dampness and warm conditions with inadequate drainage of the canal (hence the name swimmer's ear).  It is rarely imaged radiologically as diagnosis is obvious and treatment quite simple, i.e. ear toilet and topical antibiotics (drops).

The so-called malignant or necrotizing otitis externa is an aggressive skull base osteomyelitis often due to Pseudomonas in diabetics or immunosuppressed patients.