Clinical diagnosis of acute otitis externa (AOE) in children and adolescents

1. Rapid onset (generally within 48 hours)

2. Typical presenting symptoms:
   • Most common symptoms: Otalgia (often severe), pruritis, and/or sensation of fullness in the ear
   • Occasionally present: Jaw pain, hearing loss (due to occlusion of the ear canal)

3. Signs of ear canal inflammation on examination, including either or both of the following:
   • Tenderness of the tragus and/or pinna
   • Diffuse ear canal edema and erythema

Other findings that may or may not be present include ear discharge, mild tympanic membrane erythema, regional lymphadenitis, or cellulitis of the pinna and adjacent skin.