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An unusual dark pigmentation on the tympanic membrane

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  05 August 2011

M Sagit ,
M Uludag  and
I San
M Sagit*
Affiliation:
Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Kayseri Training and Research Hospital, Sanliurfa, Turkey
M Uludag
Affiliation:
Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Faculty of Medicine, Harran University, Sanliurfa, Turkey
I San
Affiliation:
Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Harran University, Sanliurfa, Turkey
*
Address for correspondence: Dr Mustafa Sagit, Kayseri Eğitim ve Araştırma Hastanesi KBB Kliniği, Sanayi Mah. Atatürk Bulvarı Hastane Cad. No: 78 38010 KAYSERİ/TURKEY Fax: +90 352 320 73 13 E-mail: musagit@yahoo.com
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Abstract

Objective:

To report an extremely rare case of dark pigmentation on the tympanic membrane due to alkaptonuria, and to discuss the probable association between this condition and hearing loss.

Case report:

A 58-year-old man with alkaptonuria was admitted with tinnitus and hearing loss in both ears. Physical examination showed bluish-black pigmentation on the helixes of both ears and both sclerae. Otoscopic examination revealed dark discolouration of both tympanic membranes. Audiological evaluation revealed mixed high frequency hearing loss in both ears. Tympanometric examination revealed type A tympanograms bilaterally, and absence of acoustic reflexes both ipsilaterally and contralaterally. Computed tomography of the temporal bones revealed no abnormality.

Conclusion:

Clinicians should consider alkaptonuria in the differential diagnosis of patients with abnormal tympanic membrane pigmentation and hearing loss.

Keywords

Hearing LossPigmentationAlkaptonuriaTympanic Membrane
Type
Clinical Records
Information
The Journal of Laryngology & Otology , Volume 125 , Issue 10 , October 2011 , pp. 1059 - 1061
Copyright
Copyright © JLO (1984) Limited 2011

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