[A case of eosinophil otitis media with smear-negative middle ear effusion and literature review].

We report a case of eosinophil otitis media with smear-negative middle ear effusion. This case is a special type of otitis media characterized by highly viscous middle ear effusion associated with bronchial asthma and nasal polyposis. However, unlike the classical cases that tested positive for eosinophils, smear examination of middle ear effusion in this case showed unusual presence of neutrophils. The diagnosis was validated by pathological biopsy of granulation tissue in the tympanic cavity, showing predominantly eosinophils in the mucosa of the middle ear. Surgery, focal applications of corticosteroid and antibiotics to control inflammation and bacterial infection were effective to ameliorate the middle ear condition in this case.