Tympanic membrane – central perforation

Otomicroscopic view of central perforation of tympanic membrane in a patient presenting with ear discharge and hearing loss

(click on image for an enlarged view)

• Central perforation of tympanic membrane is that which is not involving the annulus and is bounded on all sides by the remnant of the tympanic membrane.
• It can be caused by suppurative otitis media or trauma
• It is associated with less complications as compared to marginal type of perforation and has greater chance of spontaneous healing
• Central perforation can be closed once the infection subsides by using grafts (eg: cadeveric dura, temporalis fascia, fat from l0bule)