Otomycosis With Tympanic Membrane Perforation: A Review of the Literature.

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of the present study was to assess the rate of tympanic membrane perforation in patients with otomycosis and to discuss the literature regarding the difficulties in managing this condition.

DATA SOURCES: Literature review from 1999 to 2019, Web of Science, PubMed, and Medline.

STUDY SELECTION: We searched for eligible articles concerning the clinical entity of tympanic membrane perforation secondary to otomycosis. Case series and clinical trials were the types of articles included for this review.

DATA EXTRACTION: All the articles described in the study selection were used for this review.

DATA SYNTHESIS: Statistical techniques were not used.

CONCLUSION

Based on the available literature, it seems that tympanic membrane perforation secondary to otomycosis is not uncommon. The presence of this complication is associated with 2 problems: Antimycotic solutions are irritant to middle ear and may be ototoxic to the cochlea. Although most cases of fungus caused tympanic membrane (TM) perforation resolve with proper medical treatment, in a few patients a tympanoplasty may be required.