ear, nose, and throat disorders
Otitis Media (Chronic Suppurative)
Diagnosis of Chronic Suppurative Otitis Media
A doctor's evaluation A doctor diagnoses chronic suppurative otitis media when pus or skinlike material accumulates in a hole or pocket in the eardrum and the material often drains. To identify the bacteria causing the infection, doctors take samples of the discharge from the ear. If doctors suspect the person has a cholesteatoma, they may do computed tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) tests. In people with persistent or recurrent granulation tissue (new tissue that grows on the healing surface of the eardrum), doctors may do a biopsy to check for tumors. 