1212 Actinomycosis of the Middle Ear Mimicking Cholesteatoma – a Case Report and Literature Review
S Modi, E Kiverniti- Surgery
Abstract
Introduction
Actinomycosis, a rare infection of the middle ear, has less than 50 documented cases worldwide. Actinomyces are an anaerobic, filamentous bacterium causing granuloma formation and suppurative infection.
Case
We present a young male with a nine-month history of unilateral, yellow coloured otorrhoea and hearing loss. Swabs showed no growth, with infection not responding to oral or topical antibiotics. CT temporal bones was consistent with cholesteatoma and ossicular disruption. Surgical exploration revealed a yellow, cystic mass within the middle ear. Cortical mastoidectomy and washout were performed. Histological diagnosis confirmed actinomyces clusters with positive Gram stain.
Discussion
Actinomyces typically presents as chronic otitis media. It likely reaches the middle ear via the Eustachian tube. It is often misdiagnosed due to culture insensitivity; however clinical suspicion can aid labs in providing an optimum culture environment. Tympanomastoidectomy allows for histopathological diagnosis. Surgical resection should be followed by a prolonged course of antibiotics.