title: Tuberculous otitis media with facial paralysis: a clinical and microbiological diagnosis-a case report.
abstract: The tuberculosis of the ear is rare, and in most cases the clinical picture resembles that of a chronic otitis media. The diagnosis is often delayed, and this can lead to irreversible complications such as hearing loss and/or facial paralysis. In view of its rare occurrence, we report a case of primary tuberculous otitis media in a 87-year-old female patient. The diagnosis was made on the basis of both histological and microbiological findings. In particular, gene amplification techniques such as real-time polymerase chain reaction are useful method for rapid diagnosis and detecting tuberculous bacilli usually present at very low number. Early diagnosis is essential for the prompt institution of antituberculous therapy.
authors.affiliation: Otorhinolaryngology clinic "G. Lugli", Otologic and Neurotologic Surgery, University of Bari, 70124 Bari, Italy.
authors.forename: Nicola
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Quaranta
authors.forename: Paolo
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Petrone
authors.forename: Alexandra
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Michailidou
authors.forename: Luisa
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Miragliotta
authors.forename: Marilina
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Santantonio
authors.forename: Raffaele
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Del Prete
authors.forename: Adriana
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Mosca
authors.forename: Giuseppe
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Miragliotta