Perforated tympanic membrane

A focal defect of the tympanic membrane resulting in loss of its normal integrity and a direct communication between the external auditory canal and the middle ear, potentially impairing sound conduction and increasing the risk of otorrhea and middle ear infection.

Causes

• Infections with pressure-related membrane rupture

  • Acute suppurative otitis media

  • Chronic suppurative otitis media

  • Recurrent middle ear infections

• Traumatic causes

  • Direct physical trauma to the ear

  • Head trauma with temporal bone fracture

  • Barotrauma: Blast injury, air travel, scuba diving, Eustachian tube dysfunction

  • Acoustic causes: Extremely loud sounds

• Iatrogenic and medical causes

  • Tympanostomy tube placement

  • Ear surgery

  • Ear canal procedures

  • Accidental injury during medical examination or instrumentation

• Cholesteatoma-related erosion