Aim: Study of fungal elements by potassium hydroxide mount in chronic otitis media. Methods: This retrospective study conducted in the Department of ENT, Nalanda Medical College and Hospital, Patna, Bihar, India . Total 100 Patients chronic otitis media were included with no history using ear drops for last one week and using two sterile swab without touching the external auditory canal, ear discharge was taken from middle ear and placed in sterile container and sent for microbiology laboratory for culture and potassium hydroxide (KOH) mount respectively. Results: We found that 16% KOH rate positive with 9.5-22.5% probable range for KOH positivity 95% CI which will impact in modification of treatment in chronic otitis media and were effectively treated with antibiotic and antifungal ear drops and 7 patients were required oral antibiotics as well. Pseudomonas was found to be common bacteria among 100 samples and 50 samples were showing no growth and 8 out of 50 samples were showing positive for KOH mount. In our study, 10/16(62.5%) was found to be aspergillus, 4/16(25%) was found to be candida and 2/16 (12.5%) was found to be other saprophytic species. Conclusions: We conclude that in patients with COM, send ear discharge for both culture and sensitivity and KOH mount and it should be routine and always consider combined therapy i.e., antibiotic and antifungal drugs.

Aim: Study of fungal elements by potassium hydroxide mount in chronic otitis media. Methods: This retrospective study conducted in the Department of ENT, Nalanda Medical College and Hospital, Patna, Bihar, India . Total 100 Patients chronic otitis media were included with no history using ear drops for last one week and using two sterile swab without touching the external auditory canal, ear discharge was taken from middle ear and placed in sterile container and sent for microbiology laboratory for culture and potassium hydroxide (KOH) mount respectively. Results: We found that 16% KOH rate positive with 9.5-22.5% probable range for KOH positivity 95% CI which will impact in modification of treatment in chronic otitis media and were effectively treated with antibiotic and antifungal ear drops and 7 patients were required oral antibiotics as well. Pseudomonas was found to be common bacteria among 100 samples and 50 samples were showing no growth and 8 out of 50 samples were showing positive for KOH mount. In our study, 10/16(62.5%) was found to be aspergillus, 4/16(25%) was found to be candida and 2/16 (12.5%) was found to be other saprophytic species. Conclusions: We conclude that in patients with COM, send ear discharge for both culture and sensitivity and KOH mount and it should be routine and always consider combined therapy i.e., antibiotic and antifungal drugs.