Aggressive Tuberculous Otitis Media in a Young Child

Abstract

Objective: The aim of this report is to describe an aggressive case of tuberculous otitis media in a young child and emphasize that surgical intervention and histopathologic studies can be employed to immediately arrive at a definitive diagnosis. Methods:          Design: Case Report          Setting:            Tertiary Government Training Hospital           Participants:      One  Results: This is a case of a four-year-old boy who had refractory otitis media and erosive CT scan findings, mimicking aggressive CSOM manifestations. Due to unusual intraoperative granulation tissue characteristics, it was initially considered a malignancy, necessitating surgical intervention and biopsy that resulted in a definitive diagnosis of primary middle ear tuberculosis. Conclusion: This case represents the more severe end of the spectrum of tuberculous otitis media and supports the recommendation that a high index of suspicion, early detection, and prompt initiation of treatment are imperative in its management, especially in children with refractory otitis media. Keywords: tuberculous otitis media; tuberculosis; middle ear; otitis media; suppurative otitis media