The acute external otitis is a very common disease in tropical countries, especially in summer. There are many predisposing factors and clinical features may vary, particularly the pain's severity. AIM: Evaluate, with a prospective study in Rio de Janeiro's largest Urgencies Hospital, the incidence and characteristics of the acute external otitis in summer. STUDY DESIGN: Clinical study with transversal cohort. MATERIAL AND METH: 391 patients with acute external otitis in Souza Aguiar Hospital were evaluated in several clinical and treatment parameters, including predisposing factors analysis. RESULTS Pain, moderate ear discharge and sensation of "full ear" were the most common complaints. Sea and pool baths and the use of ear sticks were the most common predisposing factors. CONCLUSION: The acute external otitis is a very common disease in tropical countries, especially in summer. Sea and pools water contamination, although rejected by many authors as a predisposing factor, may have a role the patogenesis of the acute diffuse external otitis.
acute external otitis; predisposing factors; summer diseases
