ear, nose, and throat disorders
Otitis Media (Chronic Suppurative)
Diagnosis of Chronic Suppurative Otitis Media
Clinical evaluation Diagnosis of chronic suppurative otitis media is usually clinical. Samples of the discharge are cultured. When cholesteatoma or other complications are suspected (as in a febrile patient or one with vertigo or otalgia), CT or MRI is done. These tests may show intratemporal or intracranial processes (eg, labyrinthitis, ossicular or temporal erosion, abscesses). If patients have persistent or recurrent granulation tissue, biopsies should be done to exclude a neoplasm. 