1212 Actinomycosis of the Middle Ear Mimicking Cholesteatoma – a Case Report and Literature Review

Abstract Introduction Actinomycosis, a rare infection of the middle ear, has less than 50 documented cases worldwide. Actinomyces are an anaerobic, filamentous bacterium causing granuloma formation and suppurative infection. Case We present young male with nine-month history unilateral, yellow coloured otorrhoea hearing loss. Swabs showed no growth, not responding to oral or topical antibiotics. CT temporal bones was consistent cholesteatoma ossicular disruption. Surgical exploration revealed yellow, cystic mass within ear. Cortical mastoidectomy washout were performed. Histological diagnosis confirmed actinomyces clusters positive Gram stain. Discussion typically presents as chronic otitis media. It likely reaches ear via Eustachian tube. is often misdiagnosed due culture insensitivity; however clinical suspicion can aid labs in providing optimum environment. Tympanomastoidectomy allows for histopathological diagnosis. resection should be followed by prolonged course