A 26-year-old presents to his GP with a painful right ear. He says it began to hurt a couple of days ago and has only got worse. He also noticed a small amount of discharge on his pillow upon waking this morning. He reveals that he is a keen swimmer. Otoscopy is difficult due to pain: the tympanic membrane is not easily visualised and there is a purulent discharge present within the canal.
What is the most likely diagnosis?
- A) Acute otitis media
- B) Perichondritis
- C) Acute mastoiditis
- D) Acute otitis externa
- E) Malignant otitis externa
ASCENT 