Primary middle ear tuberculosis mimicking cholesteatoma.

Tuberculous granuloma in the middle ear is an unusual entity. Herein, we report a case with short presentation of otitis media with mastoid abscess but with a CT scan showing widespread bone destruction. The cause was determined to be middle ear tuberculosis. Awareness of this entity is important, as it may cause a delay in referral to an otorhinolaryngology specialist and, subsequently, a delay in initiating treatment. Therefore, it should be considered in the differential diagnosis, especially when the usual treatment fails to produce the desired result. © Academy of Family Physicians of Malaysia.