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

• Published in: Curēus (Palo Alto, CA) Vol. 16; no. 8; p. e66564
• Main Authors: Dimock, Ethan, Haddad, Rafi, Boudeleh, Rhiannon, Haddad, Alise, Haupert, Michael
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Palo Alto (CA) Cureus 10.08.2024
• Subjects: Otolaryngology; Pediatrics; Trauma
• ISSN: 2168-8184; 2168-8184
• DOI: 10.7759/cureus.66564

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.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.