Tuberculous mastoiditis – a case series

Authors

Keywords:

tuberculosis mastoiditis, South Africa, extrapulmonary tuberculosis

Abstract

Tuberculous mastoiditis (TBM) is a rare form of extrapulmonary tuberculosis (TB), which may result in catastrophic complications, including mastoid and ossicle destruction, hearing loss and intracranial spread if untreated. Diagnosis is challenging due to the paucibacillary nature of extrapulmonary TB, compounded by limited theatre access for specimen retrieval, resulting in delayed diagnosis and treatment initiation. In this case series, we discuss three cases of TBM (one paediatric and two adults) who presented to the public and private healthcare sectors in the Eastern Cape in 2022, underscoring that TB does not respect socioeconomic status.

Author Biographies

TK Suttle, Port Elizabeth Provincial Hospital

Otorhinolaryngology Department, Port Elizabeth Provincial Hospital, South Africa

T Els, Port Elizabeth Provincial Hospital

Otorhinolaryngology Department, Port Elizabeth Provincial Hospital, South Africa

I Butler, St Georges Hospital

St Georges Hospital, South Africa

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Published

2024-03-28

Issue

Section

Case Report