Ear Tuberculosis

Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection. Middle ear TB is mostly secondary to pulmonary TB or spread from nasopharyngeal/cervical node TB. External ear TB is rare; tuberculous tympanomastoiditis is occasionally reported. Onset is insidious with painless, thin otorrhea. Early hearing loss appears, initially conductive, then mixed if the inner ear is involved. Typical eardrum lesions are early multiple perforations that rapidly coalesce into a large pars tensa perforation reaching the annulus. Granulation may grow in the middle ear; bony destruction causes complications such as postauricular mastoid fistula or intracranial complications like tuberculous meningitis.

Common Symptoms

Facial nerve palsy; hearing loss; vertigo; tympanic membrane perforation

Causes and Pathogenesis

M. tuberculosis infection, mostly secondary to pulmonary TB via hematogenous spread, or spread from adjacent nasopharyngeal/cervical node TB along the Eustachian tube to the middle ear.

Treatment

Drug therapy; surgical debridement for severe complications or sequestrum formation

Preventive Measures

1. Manage TB patients; isolate around infectious pulmonary TB. 2. Actively treat pulmonary TB to prevent spread. 3. Strengthen nutrition and fitness.

Department to Visit

It is recommended to visit the ENT department; an appointment can be booked on this platform before the visit.

Warm reminder: The above information is for health science reference only and cannot replace professional medical diagnosis. If you have related symptoms, please seek medical attention at a regular hospital promptly.