Presence of blood in the tympanic cavity of the middle ear.

• A. Hemotympanum
• B. Otitis media
• C. Myringitis
• D. Tympanic perforation

Answer: (A)

Hemotympanum is the term for blood in the middle ear space. The presence of blood behind the tympanic membrane describes this finding precisely, differentiating it from other middle-ear conditions. It’s classically associated with trauma, such as temporal bone fractures or barotrauma, rather than infection or direct membrane inflammation.

Otitis media involves fluid or pus from infection in the middle ear, not blood. Myringitis is inflammation of the tympanic membrane itself, typically with redness and pain. Tympanic perforation is a break in the tympanic membrane that often leads to drainage. So the finding of blood in the tympanic cavity specifically points to hemotympanum.