Question

Tubercular Otitis media is characterized by all except

• A. Painful otorrhea
• B. Multiple perforations
• C. Pale granulations
• D. Foul-smelling ear discharge

Answer 1

The Correct Option is A

Tubercular Otitis media is a form of chronic otitis media caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection in the middle ear. Unlike typical bacterial infections of the ear, it presents with distinct characteristics:

Characteristic	Details
Multiple perforations	Small, irregular perforations in the tympanic membrane are common in tubercular otitis media. This distinguishes it from other forms of otitis media where large, single perforations may occur.
Pale granulations	The presence of pale and sparse granulations, rather than the robust granulation tissue seen in other bacterial infections, is a hallmark of the disease.
Foul-smelling ear discharge	A characteristic feature of tubercular otitis media. The discharge is often purulent and odorous.

While painful otorrhea (painful ear discharge) is a common symptom in many ear infections, it is not typical for tubercular otitis media. In this condition, pain is usually mild or absent due to the chronic and insidious nature of the disease. Therefore, painful otorrhea is NOT a characteristic of tubercular otitis media.