Santosh-Kumar Swain - Department of Otorhinolaryngology, IMS and SUM Hospital, Siksha O Anusandhan(Deemed to be University), K۸, Kalinganagar,Bhubaneswar-۷۵۱۰۰۳, Odisha, India.
Mahesh-Chandra Sahu - Medical Research Laboratory, IMS and SUM Hospital, Siksha O Anusandhan(Deemed to be University), K۸, Kalinganagar,Bhubaneswar-۷۵۱۰۰۳, Odisha, India.

Introduction: Tuberculosis is one of the most common diseases in developing countries, resulting in significant morbidity and mortality. Tuberculosis has varied clinical presentations, varying from common primary pulmonary tuberculosis to the extremely rare tubercular otitis externa, as in this case. Tubercular otitis externa has an extremely low clinical incidence.   Case Report: We report the case of an immunocompetent elderly male with chronic otorrhea, otalgia, and pale granulation tissue at the ear canal with a positive biopsy report for tuberculosis, confirming the diagnosis. Subsequently, sputum culture positive for Mycobacterium tuberculosis indicated disseminated tuberculosis. The patient’s symptoms resolved after antitubercular therapy (ATT).   Conclusion: Tuberculosis at a rare location such as the external auditory canal is possible in regions like India where tuberculosis has the highest burden in the world. In the case of chronic ear discharge resistant to routine antibiotic treatment, the clinician should not rule out suspicion of tuberculosis.  

Antitubercular therapy, External auditory canal, Otitis externa, Tuberculosis