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Challenges encountered in the diagnosis of tuberculous otitis media: case report and literature review

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  19 May 2011

O T Dale ,
A R Clarke  and
A J Drysdale
O T Dale*
Affiliation:
ENT Department, Musgrove Park Hospital, Taunton, UK
A R Clarke
Affiliation:
ENT Department, Musgrove Park Hospital, Taunton, UK
A J Drysdale
Affiliation:
ENT Department, Musgrove Park Hospital, Taunton, UK
*
Address for correspondence: Mr Oliver T Dale, Department of Plastic Surgery, Frenchay Hospital, Bristol BS16 1LE, UK Fax: + 44 (0)1332 347141 E-mail: otdale@doctors.net.uk
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Abstract

Objective:

To report a rare case of tuberculous otitis media, and to highlight barriers to clinical and microbiological diagnosis.

Method:

Case report and literature review.

Results:

Tuberculous otitis media is a rare cause of chronic ear infection in the UK. Its symptoms may mimic a range of other otological conditions, including otitis media, chronic suppurative otitis media, cholesteatoma and necrotising otitis media.

Conclusion:

This case report highlights the challenges of obtaining a clinical diagnosis of tuberculous otitis media, and emphasises the fact that screening for acid-fast bacilli is not sufficient, in isolation, to rule out mycobacterial infection.

Keywords

Otitis MediaSuppurative TuberculosisEar, Middle
Type
Clinical Records
Information
The Journal of Laryngology & Otology , Volume 125 , Issue 7 , July 2011 , pp. 738 - 740
Copyright
Copyright © JLO (1984) Limited 2011

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