The application of metagenomic next generation sequencing in diagnosing tuberculous otitis media: a case report and review of the literature
摘要
Tuberculous otitis media is a chronic Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection of the middle ear tissues. Diseases with varied and insidious clinical features can make diagnosis difficult and delay treatment.
Case presentationHere, we document a case of tuberculous otitis media in a 46-year-old ethnic Han woman that manifested as nonspecific chronic otitis media. A mastoidectomy and tympanoplasty were performed for the initial diagnosis of cholesteatoma. The histopathology of the tissue specimen revealed granuloma formation with necrosis. Staining for acid-fast bacilli and the polymerase chain reaction method for Mycobacterium tuberculosis yielded negative results. However, the chest computed tomography scan demonstrated a pulmonary miliary nodule. Next, metagenomic next-generation sequencing was applied and the Mycobacterium tuberculosis was identified. The patient recovered after receiving antituberculous treatment.
ConclusionThis report highlights the application of novel diagnostic tools such as metagenomic next-generation sequencing as a supplementary method for the diagnosis of tuberculous otitis media in highly suspected patients.