I use $wgAllowExternalImages = true; http://www.mediawiki.org/wiki/Manual:$wgAllowExternalImages
There is no way to maintain the embedded external images (list all / find dead ones).
The URLs should be stored in the externallinks table at least.
If you think externallinks should be for real link URLs only, add a new special page to list all externally embedded images (when $wgAllowExternalImages = true).
But I think the table is perfect for it. It stores external URLs.
MW 1.18.0 here but this should apply to all versions.
May also apply to:
$wgAllowImageTag
$wgAllowExternalImagesFrom
$wgEnableImageWhitelist
Version: unspecified
Severity: enhancement