Ear Infection (Otitis Media)
Chronic suppurative otitis media (CSOM) is defined as a perforated tympanic membrane with persistent drainage from the middle ear for more than 2-6 weeks.
Chronic suppuration can occur with or without cholesteatoma, and the clinical history of both conditions can be very similar. CSOM differs from chronic serous otitis media in that chronic serous otitis media may be defined as a middle ear effusion without perforation that is reported to persist for more than 1-3 months.