Patient's question:
What is tuberculous otitis media, and what are the specific clinical symptoms?Doctor's answer:
Otitis media tuberculosis is a chronic tuberculous lesion of the tympanic cavity and mastoid, which progresses slowly, and primary otitis media tuberculosis is rarely seen. Otitis media tuberculosis is secondary to tuberculosis elsewhere in the body, mainly pulmonary tuberculosis. Tubercle bacilli can directly invade the middle ear through the eustachian tube from the nasopharynx or spread hematogenously.Recommendations: It resembles chronic otitis media, is painless, and has discharge. Due to the rapid progression of bone destruction in otitis media tuberculosis, facial nerve palsy can occur early. Additionally, deafness may be present. The tympanic membrane appears pale, with perforation and granulation tissue. The discharge is thin and watery or cotton-like. If there is significant bone destruction, the discharge becomes viscous, with a foul odor or caseous-like fluid. It is often accompanied by tuberculous lymphadenopathy in the preauricular, postauricular, and cervical regions, which may suppurate at times. Preauricular fistulas are more common than in general otitis media. When secondary infection occurs, systemic symptoms may be present, similar to acute otitis media.