24th August 2020

A 9-year-old boy attends the GP practice with his mother

A 9-year-old boy attends the GP practice with his mother. His mother explains that he has been pulling at his earlobe for the last two days and has been hot to touch. She says he did not go to swimming club this week because he had a flu-like illness last week. He has not been eating as well or sleeping as well, and his mother is really worried about him. The GP manages to briefly examine the external auditory canal with an Otoscope and notes a bulging tympanic membrane with erythema around the external auditory canal wall. Examination of the throat shows mild erythema of the palate and faucial pillars with no tonsillar abnormality. 

Which of the following is the most likely diagnosis?

Select the SINGLE most appropriate option from the list below. Select ONE option only.