TUBERCULOSIS OF THE MIDDLE EAR AND NASAL PASSAGES: Report of an Unusual Case

Abstract

TUBERCULOSIS of the middle ear is not common. It is, however, the second most frequent disease of tuberculous etiology seen by the otolaryngologist and should be suspected in any tuberculous person who develops painless otitis media.¹Tuberculous infection of the nose and nasal fossae has been said to be the rarest form of localized tuberculosis.²The finding of both of these conditions in a healthy, young adult appears to be extremely rare and prompted us to report this case. <h3>REPORT OF CASE</h3> A 28-year-old Negro woman, in her ninth month of pregnancy, was admitted to Letterman Army Hospital, on Nov. 24, 1953, because of facial palsy associated with otitis media. One month prior to admission, a sensation of fullness, without pain, accompanied by deafness and intermittent tinnitus, developed in the left ear. Penicillin was prescribed initially. Later the treatment was changed to oxytetracycline (Terramycin) and finally to