[Actinomycosis of the middle ear].

A recent patient with actinomycosis of the middle ear has stimulated us to call attention to this very rare disease. The differential diagnosis, pathophysiology, the pathways of spread, diagnosis and therapy of this disease are discussed. Combined therapy by antibiotics such as ampicillin with clindamycin is the best treatment currently available. Surgery is confined to taking a biopsy for histology and to the draining of inflammatory foci.