title: Bilateral otitis media and hearing loss in an adult.
abstract: Bilateral otitis media, an uncommon entity in adults, may represent the initial manifestation of a life-threatening systemic disease. Prompt recognition and treatment of the underlying disease is needed to preserve auditory function and prevent involvement of other organ systems. We present the case of a thirty-four-year-old male with bilateral serous otitis media and progressive hearing loss, which was refractory to antimicrobial therapy and middle ear drainage. A mastoid biopsy revealed necrotizing granulomatous inflammation. The differential diagnosis and probable cause of this unusual finding are discussed.
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D014890:Granulomatosis with Polyangiitis / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology; D034381:Hearing Loss / Q000150:complications*; D006312:Hearing Loss, Bilateral / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008416:Mastoid / Q000473:pathology; D009297:Nasal Mucosa / Q000473:pathology; D009305:Nasopharynx / Q000473:pathology; D010033:Otitis Media / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology; D014432:Tympanic Membrane / Q000473:pathology