Intratemporal complications from acute otitis media in children: 17 cases in two years

BackgroundTo describe the clinical features of intratemporal complications of acute otitis media (AOM) in children, a retrospective study was carried out for two years.MethodsWe considered acute mastoiditis, presence of postauricular swelling, erythema and tenderness and anteroinferior displacement of the auricle; labyrinthitis, presence of vestibular symptoms (spontaneous nystagmus and ataxia with or without vomiting; and facial nerve palsy, absence or decreased motility in hemiface.All children underwent otomicroscopy for evidence of coexistent or recent AOM. Cultures were obtained by tympanocentesis and myringotomy, drainage of subperiosteal abscess or from granulation tissue during tympanomastoidectomy.ResultsFrom January 2008 to December 2009, 17 patients fulfilled the entry criteria. Median age: 54.2 months. Of the 17 cases, 30% were infants younger than twelve months and most were boys (70.6%).8/17 were receiving antimicrobial treatment. Diagnoses included 9/17 (52.9%) acute mastoiditis, 7/17 (41.2%) labyrinthitis and 1/17 (5.9%) facial nerve palsy. Intracranial complications were present in 17.6%. All required intravenous antimicrobial treatment. Myringotomy was performed in 16/17, drainage of subperiosteal abscess in 3/17 and tympanomastoidectomy in 2/17. Bacteriology was positive in 9/17 cases, isolating Streptococcus pyogenes (S. pyogenes) in 44% of patients. Secuelaes: One unilateral sensorineural hearing loss.ConclusionsAcute mastoiditis is the most common complication. Labyrinthitis was diagnosed in 41.2% of cases. S. pyogenes was prevalent in these serious invasive infections in our area. Associated intracranial complications were present in 17.6% cases. Resolution of AOM complications required surgical procedures in all cases (myringotomy, drainage of subperiosteal abscess or tympanomastoidectomy).     

Computed tomographic versus surgical findings in complicated acute otomastoiditis

Computed tomography (CT) plays an important role in planning surgery in cases of complicated middle ear infection. The purpose of this study was to determine, by comparison of radiologic and surgical findings, the diagnostic value of CT in complicated acute otomastoiditis. The study group consisted of 37 patients without a history of chronic ear disease. In this study, CT enabled correct diagnosis of 26 of 27 cases (96%) of subperiosteal abscess, 17 of 18 cases (94%) of mastoid cortex erosion in patients with subperiosteal abscess, and several intracranial complications, including epidural abscess, subdural empyema, and perisinus abscess. The CT scan produced overdiagnosis in some cases: sigmoid sinus thrombosis in 1 patient, mastoid cortex erosion in 2 children with subperiosteal abscess, and bone erosion toward the posterior cranial fossa in 1 patient with meningitis. My findings suggest that subperiosteal abscess is a disease of young children; however, when it develops in an older child, cholesteatoma should be suspected. Furthermore, acute mastoiditis complicated with facial nerve paralysis may be associated with cholesteatoma in 66% of cases. My experience showed that CT had a sensitivity of 97% and a positive predictive value of 94% in the diagnosis of complicated acute otomastoiditis.     

Do the complications of mastoid surgery differ from those of the disease?

During mastoid surgery there is a risk to the facial nerve and hearing but at present it is unclear how substantial this risk is. This information is necessary for adequate informed consent to be given, as consent requires information about both the potential risks of the surgery as well as the risks of leaving the disease untreated. The aim of this study is to establish the risks of mastoid surgery and the incidence of complications as a consequence of mastoid disease. The records of all patients undergoing mastoidectomy between 1985 and 1994 were reviewed for preoperative and intra-operative complications. Preoperatively there were 21 (2%) facial nerve palsies, 67 (6.5%) dead ears and 58 (5.7%) intracranial complications of the mastoid disease. If this risk is extrapolated for the population of the Western Cape over a 40-year period (average expected life-span after presentation), the risk of developing a serious complication (facial palsy, dead ear or intracranial) from mastoid disease during this period was 3.8%. The incidence of intra-operative iatrogenic facial nerve palsy was 1.7% (n = 17) and of dead ear was 1.7% (n = 17). Although the comparative risk of developing a severe complication from untreated disease was similar to the risks of surgery (facial palsy, dead ear), the number (58) of intracranial life-threatening preoperative complications presenting in the 10-year period reviewed was significant. These figures provide a base from which otologists can inform patients about the possible risk of mastoid surgery as well as allowing these risks to be compared with the risks of leaving the disease untreated.     

Otogenic complications with an intact tympanic membrane

A review of 21 cases of complications of acute otitis media with a hyperemic, dull, bulging but intact tympanic membrane is presented. All cases had a retroauricular swelling. In 10 cases, a subperiosteal abscess was found, 1 of them complicated with a posterior fossa abscess, 2 had meningitis, 3 had Bezhold's abscess, 2 had thrombosis of the lateral sinus, 1 had a cerebellar abscess, 1 had cerebellitis, and 2 presented with facial nerve palsy. Ninety percent of the patients were below the age of 13. An incomplete course of antibiotic treatment was found to have been given in seven cases (30%) prior to admission. Surgical therapy consisted of a cortical mastoidectomy and a wide myringotomy. Ventilating tubes were inserted in three patients. The mastoid radiography demonstrated cloudiness, and CT scan was performed in six patients with suspected intracranial complications. The present study stresses that an intact tympanic membrane with minimal changes may be regarded by the medical profession with a low index of suspicion and can lead to severe otogenic complications. The disease can be masked by an improper antibiotic therapy.     

Type I hair cell regeneration induced by Math1 gene transfer following neomycin ototoxicity in rat vestibular sensory epithelium

Conclusions. Antibiotic treatment does not absolutely prevent the development of otogenic intracranial complications (ICC); however, their incidence is relatively low (0.36%).Various pathogens can be isolated in cultures of patients with these complications, but combinations of third- or fourth-generation cephalosporins with chloramphenicol, vancomycin, metronidazole or aminoglycosides can provide good results. Underlying cholesteatoma is common and is usually associated with intracranial abscess or sinus thrombosis. High morbidity rates warrant long-term follow-up. Objective. To evaluate the cause and nature of otogenic ICC in patients treated at 1 medical center over an 18-year period. Material and methods. This was a retrospective chart review of 28 patients admitted to Sheba Medical Center, Israel with otogenic ICC between 1984 and 2002. Results. Meningitis was the commonest complication (46.4%), followed by brain abscess, epidural abscess, sigmoid sinus thrombosis, subdural empyema, perisinus abscess and transverse and cavernous sinus thrombosis. Twelve patients (42.9%) had received antibiotic treatment prior to admission. Chronic otitis media, cholesteatoma and brain abscess were diagnosed mainly in adults, while acute otitis media and epidural abscess were more frequent in children. Twenty-one patients underwent mastoidectomy to eradicate the source of infection. The commonest finding at surgery was granulations (81%). Cholesteatoma was seen in 38.1% of cases. Cholesteatoma and brain abscess were usually associated with Gram-negative bacterial infection. Meningitis, however, was caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae in 40% of cases. CT showed a sensitivity of 92.75% for diagnosing otogenic ICC. There was no mortality. The morbidity rate was high (71.4%) and included hearing impairment, hemiparesis, hydrocephalus, mental retardation, polyneuropathy and epilepsy.     

Complications of acute otitis media in children in southern Finland

BACKGROUND: The incidence of intratemporal and intracranial complications of acute otitis media (AOM) has decreased and the need for operative treatment is declined in developed countries during the antibiotic era. OBJECTIVES: To establish the clinical picture, diagnostic procedures, outcome and current treatment of pediatric patients with intratemporal and intracranial complications of AOM. METHODS: A retrospective chart review with a sent questionnaire. All pediatric patients treated for intratemporal and intracranial complications of AOM over the past 10 years (1990-2000) at the Department of Otolaryngology in the Helsinki University Central Hospital. RESULTS: During the study period 33 children (incidence 1.1/100,000 per year), aged from 3 months to 14.2 years were treated for intratemporal [97% (32/33)] and intracranial [3% (1/33)] complications of AOM. Facial paresis was found in 9% (3/33) of the patients. The only intracranial complication was an extradural abscess with meningitis. Eighteen patients (55%) were on antibiotic treatment because of AOM prior to the diagnosis of complication. Neither the duration or severity of the signs and symptoms of infection at the time of admittance nor a lack of antibiotic treatment before admittance were statistically significantly associated with the need for mastoidectomy or duration of hospitalization. Streptococcus pneumoniae 25% (8/33) and Pseudomonas aeruginosa 22% (7/33) were the most frequently found bacteria in the culture of middle ear and mastoid effusions. Mastoidectomy was performed on 55% (18/33) of the patients. After half a year of follow-up, all the patients had normal hearing and facial function. CONCLUSIONS: Severe complications of AOM are rare today in southern Finland and the need for mastoidectomy has declined significantly. With early recognition and effective treatment of complications, the prognosis is good.     

Hospital cost of pediatric patients with complicated acute sinusitis

ObjectiveReview costs for pediatric patients with complicated acute sinusitis.MethodsA retrospective case series of patients in a pediatric hospital was created to determine hospital costs using a standardized activity-based accounting system for inpatient treatment between November 2010 and December 2014. Children less than 18 years of age who were admitted for complicated acute sinusitis were included in the study. Demographics, length of stay, type of complication and cost of care were determined for these patients.ResultsThe study included 64 patients with a mean age of 10 years. Orbital cellulitis (orbital/preseptal/postseptal cellulitis) accounted for 32.8% of patients, intracranial complications (epidural/subdural abscess, cavernous sinus thrombosis) for 29.7%, orbital abscesses (subperiosteal/intraorbital abscesses) for 25.0%, potts puffy tumor for 7.8%, and other (including facial abscess and dacryocystitis) for 4.7%. The average length of stay was 5.7 days. The mean cost per patient was $20,748. Inpatient floor costs (31%) and operating room costs (18%) were the two greatest expenditures. The major drivers in variation of cost between types of complications included pediatric intensive care unit stays and pharmacy costs.ConclusionAlthough complicated acute sinusitis in the pediatric population is rare, this study demonstrates a significant financial impact on the health care system. Identifying ways to reduce unnecessary costs for these visits would improve the value of care for these patients.     

Nuestra experiencia en el manejo de las complicaciones orbitarias en la rinosinusitis aguda

Background and objectiveThe spread of an infection from the paranasal sinuses is rare but severe. Between 4% and 20% of all rhinosinusitis can become complicated, orbital involvement being the most frequent (60-75%). Orbital complications are more common in children but more severe in adults. We aim to analyse the epidemiological characteristics of these patients and to propose a management algorithm.Materials and methodsWe carried out a retrospective review of 21 patients with orbital complications of acute rhinosinusitis diagnosed in the same institution from 2005 to 2018. The diagnosis was based on clinical history, endoscopic examination and imaging tests. All patients received an intravenous antibiotic and were assessed by ophthalmology. An immediate surgical treatment was performed in the case of an abscess or poor response to medical management.ResultsThe average age was 24 years. Fifty-two percent were males and 48% females. According to Chandler's classification, 43% (9/21) had preseptal cellulitis (7 adults and 2 children), 10% (2/21) orbital cellulitis (one adult and one child), 43% (9/21) subperiosteal abscess (2 adults and 7 children), there was one case of orbital abscess in an adult and there were no cases of cavernous sinus thrombosis. A CT scan was performed in all patients and the cases of subperiosteal or orbital abscess were treated surgically, except 2 paediatric patients (<4 years) with a small and medial subperiosteal abscess (<4 mm) who responded well to medical treatment. The surgical approach is performed by endonasal endoscopy, perforating the lamina papyracea in cases of subperiosteal abscess and also opening the periorbita in orbital abscess. It was combined with an external palpebral approach in the 4 cases that presented a superior or lateral abscess. Two young adults (10%) presented an intracranial complication concomitantly.ConclusionOrbital complications of acute rhinosinusitis are rare but potentially severe. It is important to be aware of and suspect them in order to act quickly. It is essential to define the location and extension of the infection for correct management, as well as multidisciplinary treatment. The surgical approach is performed by endonasal endoscopy. It is limited by abscesses located on the roof of the orbit or on the lateral wall, when a combined external palpebral approach is required.     

Mastoidectomy for acute otomastoiditis: our experience

We conducted a retrospective study of 53 mastoidectomies in 51 patients with acute otomastoiditis. In 26 cases (49.1%), surgery had been performed within 48 hours of the development of symptoms. The most common complication of acute otomastoiditis was subperiosteal abscess, which occurred in 37 cases (69.8%). Intracranial complications were seen in 6 cases (11.3%). The most common pathogens isolated from subperiosteal abscesses, the mastoid cavity, and intracranial collections were Streptococcus spp and Staphylococcus aureus. In 14 cases (26.4%), conservative treatment failed to cure acute otomastoiditis; such cases should raise a suspicion of a subperiosteal abscess, an underlying cholesteatoma, or an infection caused by gram-negative bacteria. Upon hospital admission, patients should receive antibiotics that are effective against both gram-positive and gram-negative organisms. Patients with intracranial complications or facial nerve paralysis may require a combination of two or more antibiotics. Long-term follow-up is highly recommended.     

Complications of chronic suppurative otitis media and their management

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this is to determine the incidence of otogenic complications of chronic suppurative otitis media (CSOM) and its management. STUDY DESIGN: The authors conducted a retrospective study. METHODS: The study was conducted at the tertiary referral and teaching hospital. An analysis was made about the clinical and operative findings, surgical techniques and approaches, the overall management and recovery of the patients. The data were then compared with the relevant and available literature. RESULTS: Of the 70 cases, 47 (67%) had a single complication, of which eight (11%) had intracranial and 39 (56%) had extracranial complications. Twenty-three (33%) had two or more complications. The commonly encountered intracranial complications were otitic meningitis, lateral sinus thrombosis, and cerebellar abscess, which were seen in 13 (19%), 10 (14%), and 6 (9%) cases, respectively. Among the extracranial complications, mastoid abscess, postauricular fistula, and facial palsy were encountered in 26 (37%), 17 (24%) and 10 (14%) patients, respectively. Surgeries were the main mode of treatment for these conditions. According to severity, we found four different types of the lateral sinus involvement. Three patients with otitic facial palsy failed to regain full facial function despite surgery. A total of nine patients with the diagnosis of otitic meningitis, lateral sinus thrombosis and interhemispheric abscess expired. It constituted the mortality rate of 13% in our study. CONCLUSION: CSOM complications, despite its reduced incidence, still pose a great challenge in developing countries as the disease present in the advanced stage leading to difficulty in management and consequently higher morbidity and mortality.     

Surgical management of acute mastoiditis with epidural abscess

Abstract

The prevalence of intracranial complications of acute coalescent mastoiditis in children has decreased significantly; however, this clinical problem persists, with a relatively high mortality. The common practice for management of acute mastoiditis with epidural abscess is mastoidectomy, drainage and placement of a ventilation tube, which means that the main pathology is confined to the mastoid cavity. We suggest that tympanic exploration is mandatory in certain cases, an example of which we present here. We report one case of acute mastoiditis with epidural abscess, in which mastoidectomy with tympanic exploration was needed to ensure drainage throughout the cavities and to prevent pressure rebuilding in the mastoid and tympanic cavities. We stress that if the tympanic membrane is thickened and no fluid is drained when placing a pressure equalization tube, there could be granulation tissue in the tympanum and tympanic exploration is mandatory, especially in a case of acute mastoiditis with intracranial complications accompanied by prolonged symptoms.     

Inner ear and facial nerve complications of acute otitis media with focus on bacteriology and virology

CONCLUSION: Among 20 patients with inner ear complications and/or peripheral facial palsy secondary to acute otitis media (AOM) a proven or probable bacteriological cause was found in 13 (65%). In seven patients (35%), a proven or probable viral cause was found. Only two of the patients (10%), with a proven bacterial AOM and a clinical picture of a purulent labyrinthitis in both, together with a facial palsy in one, had a substantial degree of dysfunction. Although the number of patients in this study is relatively low our findings show that inner ear complications and facial palsy due to AOM can be of both bacterial and viral origin. Severe sequelae were found only where a bacterial origin was proven. OBJECTIVES: Inner ear complications and/or peripheral facial palsy secondary to AOM are rare. The general understanding is that they are due to bacterial infections. However, in some of these patients there are no clinical or laboratory signs of bacterial infections and they have negative bacterial cultures. During recent years different viruses have been isolated from the middle ear or serologically proven in AOM patients and are thought to play a pathogenetic role. We suggest that in some cases of AOM complications from the inner ear and the facial nerve can be caused by viruses. The purpose of our study was to analyze infectious agents present in patients with inner ear complications and/or facial palsy arising from AOM. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The medical records of 20 patients who had inner ear complications and/or facial palsy following AOM ( unilateral in 18, bilateral in 2) between January 1989 and March 2003 were evaluated. Bacterial cultures were carried out for all patients. Sera from 12 of the patients were stored and tested for a battery of specific viral antibodies. In three patients, investigated between November 2002 and March 2003, viral cultures were also performed on samples from the middle ear and nasopharynx. RESULTS: Nineteen patients had inner ear symptoms. Eight of them had a unilateral sensorineural hearing loss and vertigo, three had vertigo as an isolated symptom and one, with bilateral AOM, had bilateral sensorineural hearing loss. Seven patients had a combination of facial palsy and inner ear symptoms (unilateral sensorineural hearing loss in three, unilateral sensorineural hearing loss and vertigo in two, bilateral sensorineural hearing loss and vertigo in one, with bilateral AOM, and vertigo alone in one). One patient had an isolated facial palsy. Healing was complete in 11 of the 20 patients. In seven patients a minor defect remained at follow-up (a sensorineural hearing loss at higher frequencies in all). Only two patients had obvious defects (a pronounced hearing loss in combination with a moderate to severe facial palsy (House-Brackman grade 4) in one, distinct vestibular symptoms and a total caloric loss in combination with a high-frequency loss in the other. Eight patients had positive bacteriological cultures from middle ear contents: Streptococcus pneumoniae in two, beta-hemolytic Streptococcus group A in two, beta-hemolytic Streptococcus group A together with Staphylococcus aureus in one, Staph. aureus alone in one and coagulase-negative staphylococci (interpreted as pathogens) in two. In the 12 patients with negative cultures, there was a probable bacteriological cause due to the outcome in SR/CRP and leukocyte count in five. In four patients serological testing showed a concomitant viral infection that was interpreted to be the cause (varicella zoster virus in two, herpes simplex virus in one and adenovirus in one.) In three there was a probable viral cause despite negative viral antibody test due to normal outcome in SR/CRP, normal leukocyte count, serous fluid at myringotomy and a relatively short pre-complication antibiotic treatment period.     

Contemporary Presentation and Management of a Spectrum of Mastoid Abscesses

Background: The incidence of complications resulting from suppurative otitis media has significantly decreased since the introduction of antibiotics. At the start of the 20th century 50% of all cases of otitis media developed a coalescent mastoiditis. By 1959, the incidence had fallen to 0.4%. Recent studies suggest a current incidence of only 0.24%. Additionally, during the time of Friedrich Bezold (1824-1908), 20% of patients with mastoiditis developed subperiosteal abscess. Interestingly, this has incidence increased; today nearly 50% of patients diagnosed with coalescent mastoiditis have subperiosteal abscess. Objective: To review the contemporary presentation, diagnosis, and management of a spectrum of mastoid abscesses. Design: Retrospective case series. Setting: Hospitals associated with the Department of Otolaryngology/Head and Neck Surgery at the University of California, San Francisco. Patients: Three patients with mastoid abscesses are reported. One patient displayed “classic” Bezold's abscess, with pus escaping the mastoid near the incisura digastrica and tracking along the digastric and sternocleidomastoid muscles into the neck. The second and third patients exhibited temporoparietal swelling secondary to mastoid abscess eroding the root of the zygomatic process, a complication noted by Bezold in 1908 as occurring “in only very rare cases.” Results and Conclusions: Since only one third of patients show pathologic tympanic membrane changes, and since complaints of otalgia, fever, and tenderness are inconstant, subperiosteal mastoid abscess is frequently a delayed diagnosis. The clinical presentation, pathogenesis, and routes of abscess spread are presented with photographic and radiographic illustration. Medical and surgical management is reviewed, and methods for accurate diagnosis are emphasized.     

Iatrogenic facial nerve exposure in cochlear implant surgery: incidence and clinical significance in the absence of intra-operative nerve monitoring

Objectives: Iatrogenic facial nerve injury is one of the most feared complications of cochlear implantation. Intraoperative facial nerve monitoring is used as an adjunctive modality in a variety of neurotologic surgeries including cochlear implantation. With the lack of nerve monitoring, there is a theoretically higher risk of iatrogenic fallopian canal dehiscence with facial nerve exposure, particularly the mastoid portion, during cochlear implant surgery. The purpose of this study is to determine the incidence of iatrogenic exposure of the facial nerve and its relation to the incidence of post-operative facial paralysis in the absence of facial nerve monitoring.

Methods: This was a retrospective study. Medical charts of 307 patients who underwent cochlear implantation without facial nerve monitoring, from 2012 to 2017 were reviewed to identify cases with a reported iatrogenic defect over the mastoid facial nerve. The incidence of post-operative facial palsy was determined and compared to the incidence with the use of intra-operative monitoring which has been reported in the literature.

Results: The incidence of iatrogenic dehiscence with facial nerve exposure was 46.58%. However, the incidence of post-operative facial palsy was only 2.1% which decreased to 0.72% in cases without injury of the facial neural sheath. This was not significantly different from the 0.73% rate reported in the literature with the use of intra-operative facial monitoring (P?=?0.99).

Conclusion: The incidence of iatrogenic facial nerve exposure during cochlear implantation may be relatively high. However, no additional risk of post-operative facial nerve paralysis was found, provided that the integrity of the neural sheath was preserved, even with the lack of intra-operative monitoring.     

Systematic review and case report: Intracranial complications of pediatric sinusitis

ContextIntracranial complications of rhinosinusitis are rare in the post-antibiotic era. However, due to potentially devastating outcomes, prompt recognition and management are essential.ObjectiveThis study aims to perform the first systematic review of the intracranial complications of rhinosinusitis in order to better characterize their clinical presentation, diagnosis, and treatment, and report a case of frontal lobe empyema secondary to pediatric frontoethmoid sinusitis.Data SourcesOvid MEDLINE, Cochrane Library, and Google Scholar.Study SelectionFull-text, peer-reviewed journal publications from 1947 to January 1, 2015 in English; focus on intracranial complications of sinusitis; pediatric patients (<18 years of age); studies including data on diagnostic workup and treatment.Data ExtractionPreferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines.ResultsSixteen studies involving 180 patients were included. An overwhelming majority of patients were young adolescent males (70%). The most common intracranial complications were subdural empyema (49%), epidural abscess (36%), cerebral abscess (21%), and meningitis (10%). Patients most often presented with nonspecific symptoms such as headache, fever, nausea and vomiting. Computed tomography with contrast or magnetic resonance imaging confirmed the diagnosis when intracranial complications were suspected. Typical treatment included surgical incision and drainage, often involving joint neurosurgical and otolaryngological procedures, combined with a long course of antibiotics. The morbidity rate was 27%, and the mortality rate was 3.3%.LimitationsAll studies were retrospective chart reviews, case series or case reports.ConclusionsA review of the currently available literature shows that with a high degree of suspicion, multidisciplinary cooperation and aggressive treatment, favorable outcomes are attainable. The most effective surgical treatment for intracranial complications remains unclear and should be investigated further.     

The relationship between acute mastoiditis and antibiotic use for acute otitis media in children

OBJECTIVE: To determine the relationship between prior antibiotic use and the development of acute mastoiditis (AM) in children. DESIGN: Retrospective review. SETTING: Tertiary pediatric center. PATIENTS: We identified 129 patients with AM who were admitted to our center between 1996 and 2005. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Proportion of children who developed AM. RESULTS: A total of only 67 patients (51.9%) had undergone any antimicrobial treatment prior to hospital admission. In 1996, 64% of patients with AM had received antibiotics for acute otitis media (AOM) prior to admission (n = 7 of 11), but this percentage had steadily decreased to 27% by 2005 (n = 4 of 15). The yearly number of cases of AM treated in our institution has remained stable over this period. A subperiosteal abscess was identified in 45 patients (34.9%), while the remainder (n = 84) had postauricular inflammation only (65.1%). Nineteen patients with a subperiosteal abscess (42%) and 48 patients without a subperiosteal abscess (57%) had undergone prehospitalization antimicrobial therapy for suppurative AOM. There was no significant difference in antibiotic use between the numbers of patients with or without a subperiosteal abscess. Regarding the sensitivity of bacteria isolated from patients with a subperiosteal abscess, only 1 patient was infected with an organism that was not sensitive to the prehospitalization antibiotic prescribed. CONCLUSION: Use of antibiotics to treat suppurative AOM in children might not influence the subsequent development of AM.     

Complications of chronic suppurative otitis media: a retrospective review

The purpose of this study was to review our patients with complications of chronic suppurative otitis media (CSOM) and compare with literature. This retrospective study was performed over 10 years in our tertiary referral university hospital. During this period 4,630 patients with CSOM were admitted to the department and 906 patients underwent a surgery. From the records of the 4,630 patients, 121 patients (2.6%) with complications were identified. Of the 906 CSOM patients that underwent a surgery, 511 had cholesteatoma, and 395 had granulation and/or polyp tissue. Ninety-four of 511 (18.4%) patients with cholesteatoma and 27 of 395 (6.8%) patients with granulation and/or polyp tissue had a complication. Of the 121 complicated CSOM patients, 57 extracranial (47.1%) and 37 intracranial (30.6%). Multiple combined complications were occurred in 27 (22.3%) patients. The mastoid abscess was the commonest extracranial complication (28.3%); it was followed by labyrinthitis (9%), facial nerve paralysis (8.4%), and Bezold’s abscess (1.3%). The most common intracranial complication was lateral sinus thrombophlebitis (19.5%), followed by perisigmoid sinus abscess (13.5%), meningitis (9%), brain abscess (6.5%), and extradural abscess (4.5%). Most frequent intraoperative finding of complicated CSOM patients was cholesteatoma, with the exception of patients with facial nerve paralysis. There was no mortality in any of our patients. The additional morbidities were recorded in 25 patients (20.6%). In this study, we emphasize the importance of an accurate and early diagnosis, followed by adequate surgical therapy and a multidisciplinary approach.     

Orbital complications of infected mucocele in the paranasal sinuses

ObjectiveInfected mucocele of the paranasal sinuses can induce orbital infection, including orbital subperiosteal abscess, which may lead to life-threatening intracranial complications. Effective diagnosis is important, and treatment should be aggressive. This paper presents our experiences in endoscopic surgical management of orbital complications secondary to infected paranasal sinus mucoceles.MethodsFrom our retrospective review of the medical charts for 82 patients with 92 sides diagnosed with paranasal sinus mucoceles, we present 7 sides in 7 adult patients with orbital complications secondary to infected mucoceles. The collected data include the suggested etiology, side of sinus involvement, localization of abscess in the orbit, orbital wall bone defects caused by mucocele compression, ophthalmic symptoms, duration between symptom onset and initial visit, operation date, type of surgery performed, and follow-up.ResultsThe mucocele was located in the ethmoid-frontal region in 9.8% of the sides (9/92), in the frontal sinus in 7.6% (7/92), in the ethmoidal sinus in 9.8% (9/92), in the maxillary sinus in 67.4% (62/92), in the maxillary-ethmoidal sinus in 3.3% (3/92), and in the sphenoid sinus in 2.2% (2/92). The patients with ethmoid-frontal mucoceles had a significantly higher incidence of orbital complications (6/9) as compared with the other sub-types of mucoceles (frontal, 0/7; ethmoidal, 0/9; maxillary, 1/62; maxillary-ethmoidal, 0/3; sphenoid, 0/2). Chandler's classification showed Type I in one, Type II in three, and Type III in three. Sinus involvement was observed at the ethmoid-frontal sinuses in six cases and the maxillary sinus in one case. All seven cases had a partial defect of the orbital wall bone (lamina papyracea, or inferior orbital wall bone) by mucocele compression, and the patients underwent endoscopic marsupialization. For the cases with subperiosteal abscess, the lamina papyracea was also removed partially for draining the abscess. In all cases, symptoms were resolved without any recurrence of the mucocele.ConclusionsInfected ethmoid-frontal mucoceles with a defect of the lamina papyracea tend to induce orbital infection, so prompt surgery for the infected mucoceles should be considered early even with Types I and II, before visual acuity is impaired, because surgery is the only curative treatment for the mucoceles.     

Bacteriology of mastoid subperiosteal abscess in children

Objective Subperiosteal abscess (SA) is the most frequent complication of acute mastoiditis (AM). Of pathogens cultured from the external auditory canal or middle ear during myringotomy, 15% may be different from microorganisms isolated from the SA. We suggest, therefore, that only cultures obtained from the abscess cavity can truly reflect the bacteriology of this complication of AM. The purpose of our study was to analyze the infectious agents which cause SA and mastoid cortex erosion in children.

Material and Methods The medical records of 35 children who underwent mastoidectomy for SA between May 1984 and April 2002 were evaluated.

Results Mastoid cortex erosion was found at surgery in 72.7% of abscesses Purulent discharge was obtained from the SA cavity in 28 cases. The commonest pathogens isolated in these cases, as well as in 18 cases of mastoid cortex erosion, were Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus pyogenes, followed by Streptococcus pneumoniae. Hemophilus influenzae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae. Sterile culture was found in 25% of cases.

Conclusions Mastoid SA is a unilateral disease that can recur. Early administration of anti-Staphylococcus medications should be considered for patients with SA as a complication of AM.     

Inner ear and facial nerve complications of acute otitis media with focus on bacteriology and virology

Conclusion. Among 20 patients with inner ear complications and/or peripheral facial palsy secondary to acute otitis media (AOM) a proven or probable bacteriological cause was found in 13 (65%). In seven patients (35%), a proven or probable viral cause was found. Only two of the patients (10%), with a proven bacterial AOM and a clinical picture of a purulent labyrinthitis in both, together with a facial palsy in one, had a substantial degree of dysfunction. Although the number of patients in this study is relatively low our findings show that inner ear complications and facial palsy due to AOM can be of both bacterial and viral origin. Severe sequelae were found only where a bacterial origin was proven. Objectives. Inner ear complications and/or peripheral facial palsy secondary to AOM are rare. The general understanding is that they are due to bacterial infections. However, in some of these patients there are no clinical or laboratory signs of bacterial infections and they have negative bacterial cultures. During recent years different viruses have been isolated from the middle ear or serologically proven in AOM patients and are thought to play a pathogenetic role. We suggest that in some cases of AOM complications from the inner ear and the facial nerve can be caused by viruses. The purpose of our study was to analyze infectious agents present in patients with inner ear complications and/or facial palsy arising from AOM. Patients and methods. The medical records of 20 patients who had inner ear complications and/or facial palsy following AOM ( unilateral in 18, bilateral in 2) between January 1989 and March 2003 were evaluated. Bacterial cultures were carried out for all patients. Sera from 12 of the patients were stored and tested for a battery of specific viral antibodies. In three patients, investigated between November 2002 and March 2003, viral cultures were also performed on samples from the middle ear and nasopharynx. Results. Nineteen patients had inner ear symptoms. Eight of them had a unilateral sensorineural hearing loss and vertigo, three had vertigo as an isolated symptom and one, with bilateral AOM, had bilateral sensorineural hearing loss. Seven patients had a combination of facial palsy and inner ear symptoms (unilateral sensorineural hearing loss in three, unilateral sensorineural hearing loss and vertigo in two, bilateral sensorineural hearing loss and vertigo in one, with bilateral AOM, and vertigo alone in one). One patient had an isolated facial palsy. Healing was complete in 11 of the 20 patients. In seven patients a minor defect remained at follow-up (a sensorineural hearing loss at higher frequencies in all). Only two patients had obvious defects (a pronounced hearing loss in combination with a moderate to severe facial palsy (House-Brackman grade 4) in one, distinct vestibular symptoms and a total caloric loss in combination with a high-frequency loss in the other. Eight patients had positive bacteriological cultures from middle ear contents: Streptococcus pneumoniae in two, beta-hemolytic Streptococcus group A in two, beta-hemolytic Streptococcus group A together with Staphylococcus aureus in one, Staph. aureus alone in one and coagulase-negative staphylococci (interpreted as pathogens) in two. In the 12 patients with negative cultures, there was a probable bacteriological cause due to the outcome in SR/CRP and leukocyte count in five. In four patients serological testing showed a concomitant viral infection that was interpreted to be the cause (varicella zoster virus in two, herpes simplex virus in one and adenovirus in one.) In three there was a probable viral cause despite negative viral antibody test due to normal outcome in SR/CRP, normal leukocyte count, serous fluid at myringotomy and a relatively short pre-complication antibiotic treatment period.