AN UNUSUAL PRESENTATION - PRIMARY TUBERCULOSIS OF THE MIDDLE-EAR CLEFT

Tuberculosis rarely affects the middle ear cleft; therefore, except fo r those working in close association with respiratory physicians, the disease is a curiosity and not often considered in the differential di agnosis of otorrhea. The diagnosis is thus made too late, with resulti ng complications such as irreversible hearing loss and facial nerve pa ralysis. A case report and review of the literature are presented, emp hasizing that tuberculosis should be considered in the differential di agnosis of chronic ear infection.