Bilateral Tuberculous Otitis: A Furtive Middle Ear Infection

Area of Science:

• Otolaryngology
• Infectious Diseases
• Microbiology

Background:

• Tuberculosis (TB) remains a significant global health concern, with rising incidence and atypical presentations.
• Otologic manifestations of TB are uncommon, and bilateral involvement is exceptionally rare.
• Mycobacterium tuberculosis genetic evolution and non-specific symptoms complicate diagnosis.

Observation:

• The authors present a unique case of fulminant, bilateral tuberculous otitis.
• The patient was immunocompetent with an unknown primary TB infection.
• The clinical course presented diagnostic challenges requiring specialized knowledge.

Findings:

• Confirmed diagnosis of bilateral tuberculous otitis in an immunocompetent patient.
• Demonstrated the potential for rare, severe otologic presentations of TB.
• Underscored the importance of high clinical suspicion for diagnosing unusual TB manifestations.

Implications:

• Highlights the need for increased awareness of otologic TB among ENT specialists.
• Suggests that atypical presentations of TB can occur even in immunocompetent hosts.
• Emphasizes the diagnostic challenges posed by Mycobacterium tuberculosis and the necessity of a thorough clinical approach.