Results
Case 1: A 54 year old female presented with a 2 month history of
bilateral ear irritation associated with hypoacusis, tinnitus and
otalgia. She had no previous ear symptoms. Previous treatment included
betnesol drops for 1 week and otomise ear spray for 1 week. Microscopic
examination of the ear canal revealed a perforation of the left tympanic
membrane and visible fungal spores. Microbiological swab was sent, which
grew Aspergillus niger species. A one week course of Flumetasone
Pivalate 0.02% / Clioquinol 1.0% ear drops was given. After one month,
there was some improvement of the clinical picture with respect to the
otalgia and some closure of the tympanic membrane perforation which was
now dry but not complete closure, hence a tympanoplasty was performed
with resultant normal hearing on the audiogram. (Figure 1)
Case 2: 39 year old female presented with left otalgia,
hypoacusis and ottorhoea. A one week course of sofradex ear drops were
unhelpful. Microscopic examination revealed debris which was
microsuctioned to reveal multiple tympanic membrane perforations. A
microbiological swab grew Aspergillus niger species. A one week course
of Flumetasone Pivalate 0.02% / Clioquinol 1.0% ear drops resulted in
full resolution of symptoms and closure of the tympanic membrane
perforations. (Figure 2) The post-treatment audiogram was normal.