rifampin and Ear-Diseases

Tuberculous otitis media (TOM) is a rare cause of chronic suppurative infection of the middle ear. Due to that the symptoms and signs are often indistinguishable from those of nontuberculosis chronic otitis media and the fact that the index of suspicion is low, there is frequently a considerable delay prior to diagnosis. This can lead to irreversible complications such as facial nerve paralysis and labyrinthitis. Medical therapy with antituberculous drugs is usually effective. We report three cases with TOM diagnosticated and followed up in our Service from january 1993 to july 2001. Their charts were retrospectively reviewed for relevant historical data, physical findings, complementary studies, treatment and clinical response. We performed a review of the literature, emphasizing that TOM should be considered in the differential diagnosis of chronic otitis media.

Topics: Adult; Aged; Amoxicillin; Antitubercular Agents; Cerebrospinal Fluid Otorrhea; Drug Combinations; Ear Diseases; Female; Humans; Isoniazid; Male; Mycobacterium Infections; Mycobacterium tuberculosis; Otitis Media; Penicillins; Proteus Infections; Proteus mirabilis; Pyrazinamide; Rifampin; Staphylococcal Infections; Staphylococcus aureus; Tuberculosis

Tuberculous otitis media can provide a diagnostic challenge even to the most astute and experienced clinician. The rarity of the condition and its propensity to masquerade as commoner otological conditions further delays diagnosis and treatment. We present the case of a 22-year-old female who presented with chronic aural discharge, unilateral hearing loss and recurrent hemifacial paralysis. The paper highlights the difficulty in diagnosis and stresses the need for a high index of suspicion in cases resistant to the common methods of treatment.

Topics: Adult; Antitubercular Agents; Diagnosis, Differential; Drug Therapy, Combination; Ear Diseases; Facial Paralysis; Female; Hearing Loss; Hearing Loss, Conductive; Humans; Isoniazid; Mycobacterium Infections; Otitis Media; Pyrazinamide; Rifampin; Tinnitus; Tuberculosis

Topics: Antibiotics, Antitubercular; Antitubercular Agents; Diagnosis, Differential; Ear Diseases; Ear, Middle; Female; Humans; Isoniazid; Middle Aged; Pyrazinamide; Rifampin; Tuberculosis; Tuberculosis, Pulmonary

Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Ear Diseases; Facial Paralysis; Female; Humans; Isoniazid; Labyrinth Diseases; Rifampin; Tuberculosis; Tuberculosis, Pulmonary; Vertigo