OBJECTIVETo analyze the clinical features and the surgical treatment outcomes of patients with tuberculous otitis media and mastoiditis.

METHODSThe medical records of 16 patients (18 ears) with tuberculous otitis media and mastoiditis, who received surgery in Beijing Tongren hospital, were reviewed.

RESULTSThe common symptoms were otorrhea and hearing loss, and 3 patients demonstrated severe sensorineural hearing loss. Three patients demonstrated a peripheral-type facial palsy. Temporal bone high resolution CT scans demonstrated the entire tympanum and mastoid air cells were occupied by soft tissue. Eleven patients demonstrated bone destruction and sequestra was found in 7 temporal bones. Contemporary pulmonary tuberculosis were diagnosed in 7 of the 16 patients. Surgical removal of disease lesions in combination with anti-tuberculosis treatment were given to 15 patients. Other than 2 cases of tuberculous otitis media and mastoiditis diagnosed by pre-operational biopsy through the perforated tympanic membrane, the remaining 14 cases were diagnosed intra-operatively or post-operatively. No relapse of tuberculosis in the middle ear and mastoid were found after follow-up for more than 1 year, except for the one case that was lost to follow-up. The 3 cases of facial nerve palsy almost recovered to normal.

CONCLUSIONSClinicians should suspect tuberculous otitis media and mastoiditis if clinical findings include refractory otorrhea, total occupation of the tympanic cavity and mastoid ari cells by soft tissue, and erosion of the bone or sequestra as shown by CT. A history of tuberculosis should be asked carefully in order to differentiate tuberculous otitis media and mastoiditis. The patients who received surgery and anti-tuberculosis chemotherapy achieved more rapid healing of the ear.