Tympanic Membrane Perforation and COVID-19

Abstract

Background: World Health Organization considers the outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) as a global pandemic. The perforation of Tympanic Membrane (TMP), followed by remission of COVID-19, can be an uncommon presentation. Case Report: This report is an unusual case of COVID-19 in an elderly woman who did not have any past medical history. She was admitted to the hospital with an uncommon, but serious presentation of TMP after one week of remission from COVID-19 infection. Otoscopy of ear revealed clear external auditory canal and central perforation in the pars tensa with regular margins occupying the posteroinferior quadrant. Computed tomography scan (axial view) with thin cuts of the temporal bone revealed well pneumatized mastoid regions without any density or secretion and normal middle ears without any density or secretion. After 2 months, tympanoplasty without mastoidectomy was performed, the patient recovered fully, the TMP was healed, and an audiogram performed 2 months later was found to be normal. Conclusion: This case highlighted the importance of attention to uncommon presentations, such as otalgia, and a sensation of fullness in the ear that can be subsequent to bacterial superinfection after Covid-19 infection.