"An Unusual Presentation of a Black Discoloration on the Tympanic Membr" by Ethan Dimock, Rafi Haddad et al.
 

An Unusual Presentation of a Black Discoloration on the Tympanic Membrane of a 10-Year-Old Girl: A Case Report.

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

8-10-2024

Publication Title

Cureus

Abstract

This case report details an unusual presentation of unilateral tympanic membrane discoloration in a 10-year-old girl. The mysterious black discoloration was explored by various medical specialties, revealing a complex diagnostic journey due to the lack of evidence for this specific finding. Initially, the patient consulted her primary care physician after inserting a graphite pencil into her left ear canal, but without associated symptoms, she was considered to have returned to her baseline. The abnormal discoloration on the left tympanic membrane was first observed 10 months later, following diagnoses of two episodes of otitis media, otitis externa, and a middle ear effusion over three separate visits. By this time, the patient had been seen by four different medical professionals. The lesion was described as "a blackish discoloration in the posterior superior quadrant of the unperforated tympanic membrane near the umbo." This report underscores the need for thorough evaluation and consideration of atypical presentations when encountering unusual tympanic membrane discolorations.

Volume

16

Issue

8

First Page

e66564

DOI

10.7759/cureus.66564

ISSN

2168-8184

PubMed ID

39258064

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