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Primary Eustachian Tube Tuberculosis
Mohd Hafiz Hamzah1, Irfan Mohamad1, Nor Shahida Abd Mutalib21Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery, School of Medical Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Health Campus, Kota Bharu, Kelantan, Malaysia2Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery, Hospital Sultan Abdul Halim, Sungai Petani, Kedah, Malaysia
Nasopharyngeal tuberculosis is a rare occurrence, and primarily involves the proximal part of the Eustachian tube. Mechanical obstruction of the Eustachian tube will affect the pressure discrepancy between the middle ear and the external atmosphere, leading to aural fullness, unilateral hearing disturbance, and otitis media. These conditions can be overlooked or mistakenly diagnosed as ear pathology. We report a case of unilateral hearing loss and tinnitus in a 31-year-old healthy woman that was later confirmed to be tuberculosis of the Eustachian tube. In cases with indicators suggesting a high index of suspicion, a thorough examination of the head and neck regions is especially very important. Once it has been diagnosed, Eustachian tuberculosis can be successfully treated with anti-tuberculosis medications.
Keywords: Eustachian tube, tuberculosis, unilateral hearing loss
Manuscript Language: English