Korean J Otolaryngol-Head Neck Surg.  2006 Jun;49(6):651-654.

A Case of Fungal Ball of Aspergillus in Chronic Otitis Media

• Kim JH
• Song CE
• Jun BC
• Lee DH

Abstract

Fungal infections in the ear of immunocompetent patients are mainly observed as otomycosis within the external auditory canal. Benign fungal colonization (fungal ball), though they are common in the paranasal sinuses, has never been reported in the middle ear cavity of a healthy population. We present a case of fungal ball in the middle ear of a 30-year-old, immunocompetent male. He did not have any illness except chronic suppurative otitis media in the right ear. On physical examination, only small central perforation was seen in the right tympanic membrane. Temporal bone computed tomography did not reveal any abnormal finding except thickened tympanic membrane. Intraoperative examination demonstrated a dark gray, cheese-like material in the mesotympanum. After tympanoplasty, mycological staining and histopathologic examination identified the surgical sample to be Aspergillus. So we reported, with a review of literature, the first case of Aspergilloma occurring in the middle ear of a healthy patient.

Keyword

Aspergillus; Middle ear; Suppurative otitis media

MeSH Terms

Adult
Aspergillus*
Colon
Ear
Ear Canal
Ear, Middle
Humans
Male
Otitis Media*
Otitis Media, Suppurative
Otitis*
Otomycosis
Paranasal Sinuses
Physical Examination
Temporal Bone
Tympanic Membrane
Tympanoplasty