CASE HISTORY / CLINIC:
Patient with left-sided hearing impairment, light otalgia and occasional otorrhea. Microscopic identification of epitympanic retraction pocket.


FINDINGS:
Hypodense opacity of the left mesotympanum without bony erosion. Hypersclerosis and inflammation of the bony structures as a result of the chronic inflammation. Demonstration of hypersclerosis of the very poorly pneumatized mastoid in the lower axial images (compare with well pneumatized right mastoid).


DIAGNOSIS:
Chronic otitis media und mastoiditis


DIFFERENTIAL DIAGNOSIS:
Cholesteatoma
acute otitis media



Web resources:

1) MedizInfo
2) Medicine worldwide
3) AWMF
4) AHC-Consilium
5) Amersham Health