[Clinical analysis of cases of otogenic sigmoid sinus thrombosis in children].

Objective:To analyze the clinical characteristics of middle ear mastoiditis combined with sigmoid sinus thrombophlebitis in children. Methods:Author retrospectively analyzed the clinical data of 6 children with middle ear mastoiditis combined with sigmoid sinus thrombophlebitis who were hospitalized in the Department of Infectious Diseases and Department of Neurology with first diagnosis of fever/headache, and subsequently underwent middle ear mastoidectomy in our department. All patients underwent comprehensive otoscopic, audiologic, imaging, and pathogenetic examinations. Clinical manifestations, pathogenetic features, treatment methods and prognosis were summarized, and the follow-up period was 3-6 months. Results:All 6 cases were first diagnosed with intracranial complications such as fever and headache in the internal medicine department. Within one month, all patients developed ear symptoms including pain, discharge, and hearing loss. Audiologic examination revealed conductive hearing loss in five cases and total deafness in one case. MRI, MRV and MRA examinations suggested that there were 6 cases of middle ear infection combined with thrombophlebitis of the ethmoid sinus, of which 3 cases had thrombus in the ethmoid sinus. 6 cases received surgical treatments: 2 cases of radical mastoidectomy+grommet Insertion, and 4 cases of radical mastoidectomy. Pathogenetic examination identified Streptococcus pneumoniae in three cases, Pseudomonas aeruginosa in one case, Enterobacter cloacae complex in one case, and no pathogens were detected in one case. Postoperative pathology was inflammatory granulation in all 6 cases. Follow-up was 3-6 months with no recurrence of intracranial and middle ear lesions on regular review. Conclusion:Children with recurrent fever, headache, and a recent history of acute and chronic otitis media should be evaluated for the possibility of sigmoid sinus thrombophlebitis, and imaging tests should be performed in a timely manner to clarify the diagnosis. Once diagnosed, surgery to remove the lesions around the ethmoid sinus, smooth drainage combined with antibiotic therapy is the most direct and effective treatment, and anticoagulation therapy is given when necessary. Timely diagnosis, multidisciplinary collaboration, and accurate timing of the management of primary foci and comorbidities are crucial to the treatment of the disease.

Bezold's abscess, an uncommon complication of otitis media and cholesteatoma: a case report.

BACKGROUND: Mastoiditis frequently occurs in children as they are more susceptible to middle ear infections, but infrequently occurs in adults. A rare complication that results from mastoiditis and an obstructing cholesteatoma is a Bezold's abscess, of which there are less than 100 reported cases in literature to date. CASE PRESENTATION: Here, we present a case of a 72-year-old Caucasian man who has had no history of prior ear infections and was found to have a cholesteatoma and advanced acute coalescent mastoiditis complicated by a Bezold's abscess. CONCLUSIONS: Bezold's abscess is a rare entity infrequently encountered in the modern era, likely owing to more prompt treatment of otitis media. Cholesteatoma poses a great risk for both the development of otitis media and further progression to mastoiditis and its associated complications, such as Bezold's abscess. Knowledge of said abscess is crucial; without prompt recognition, further spread of infection can occur with vascular or mediastinal involvement.

The Clinical Value of Cranial CT Venography for Predicting Fusobacterium necrophorum as the Causative Agent in Children with Complicated Acute Mastoiditis.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Fusobacterium necrophorum (F necrophorum) is an anaerobic bacteria that causes invasive head and neck infections in children. Several studies have demonstrated an increasing prevalence of F necrophorum as the causative agent in acute mastoiditis in children, with associated high rates of intracranial complications such as epidural abscess and sinus venous thrombosis, to name a few. F necrophorum requires a treatment protocol that differs from the empiric treatment that is tailored to more common pathogens (eg, group A streptococci, Streptococcus pneumonia), and hence expediting the diagnosis is important. For evaluating complicated acute mastoiditis in children, cranial CT venography remains the imaging study of choice in most medical centers due to its availability in emergency situations. Based on our clinical experience, our hypothesis is that children with F necrophorum-associated complicated acute mastoiditis can be differentiated from those with other etiologies using CT venography. MATERIALS AND METHODS: CT venography studies of 76 children hospitalized and treated for complicated acute mastoiditis were retrospectively reviewed. Retrieved imaging data included intracranial complications (epidural abscess, sinus venous thrombosis), cranial bone-related complications, and extracranial complications (subperiosteal abscess, temporomandibular joint abscess, and soft-tissue inflammation). The cohort was divided into children with F necrophorum-related disease (study group) and those with non-F necrophorum-related disease (control group). RESULTS: Thirty-seven children (49%) comprised the study group, and 39 children in whom the causative agents were other bacteria comprised the control group. There were significantly higher rates of complications in the study group: sinus venous thrombosis (P < .001), perisigmoid epidural abscess (P = .036), and extramastoid osteomyelitis (P < .001). Thrombosis in venous sites beyond the sigmoid sinus and jugular foramen (a pattern consistent with an otogenic variant of Lemierre syndrome) and emphysematous osteomyelitis were found only among children in the F necrophorum-related study group (32% and 22% accordingly). CONCLUSIONS: In children with complicated acute mastoiditis, CT venography findings of emphysematous osteomyelitis and/or thrombosis in venous sites beyond the sigmoid sinus and jugular foramen (a pattern consistent with the otogenic variant of Lemierre syndrome) should lead the radiologist to suggest F necrophorum-related mastoiditis.

Intracranial complications of acute mastoiditis: Surgery not always necessary.

INTRODUCTION: Acute mastoiditis (AM) can rapidly become life-threatening with various intracranial complications. The standard care includes antibiotics, mastoidectomy, and drainage. Reports show varying preferences for conservative and surgical treatments, with a more conservative approach gaining popularity. In this study we aim to evaluate the presenting symptoms, management and outcomes of patients presenting with intracranial complications secondary to acute mastoiditis. METHODS: Retrospective review for all children admitted for acute mastoiditis for 12 years period (January 2010-December 2021). Children who had mastoiditis associated with intracranial complications were included in the study. STROBE guidelines were followed in this study. RESULTS: 23 patients were diagnosed with acute mastoiditis with intracranial complications. The mean age was 2.1 years. The most common presenting sign was fever, followed by otalgia. The most common pathogens were Fusobacterium necrophorum and Streptococcus pneumoniae. The most common intracranial complication was sinus vein thrombosis (SVT) affecting 13 patients. Eventually, 10 patients underwent cortical mastoidectomy during 1-6 days upon admission, with an average of 3.2 days. During the follow-up period patients were monitored for clinical progression. Patients who did not show clinical improvement such as persistent fever, worsening symptoms, or the presence of neurological symptoms were treated surgically. The length of stay was an average of 15.5 days overall, with no significantly longer hospital stay in patients who were treated surgically compared to patients who were treated conservatively (17.1 days vs. 14.2 days, P = .26). CONCLUSION: Intracranial complications of acute mastoiditis remain a significant challenge. Selected patients with intracranial complications can be treated conservatively with close monitoring, without increasing the risk of immediate or long-term complications. Initial antimicrobial treatment should cover anaerobic bacteria, as it correlates with severe complications.

A Novel Diagnostic and Treatment Algorithm for Acute Mastoiditis in Children Based on 109 Cases.

BACKGROUND: Acute mastoiditis (AM) is a potentially life-threatening condition primarily affecting children. To date, there are no consistent criteria or valid guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of pediatric AM. Therefore, this study evaluates the clinical course of AM in terms of clinical signs and treatment. In addition, a novel classification scheme for the disease and a treatment algorithm is being proposed. METHODS: Patient records over a 12-year period from a single center were reviewed to identify confirmed cases of AM in children. Data collected included clinical signs, body temperature, and infection parameters during the disease, as well as radiological imaging, antibiotics, and surgical as well as conservative treatment. In addition, a classification of the AM stages was established in accordance with the findings described and practical experience, consisting of four stages (1, mastoidal irritation; 2, mild AM; 3, advanced AM; 4, advanced AM and additional complications) with corresponding treatment recommendations. In the retrospective cohort, those AM cases that were treated alongside the classification were compared with the rest concerning clinical course and outcome. RESULTS: A total of 109 patients (mean age, 3.8 ± 3.8 years) were included. The main symptoms at hospital admission were auricular protrusion (n = 73; 67.0%), fever (n = 56; 51.4%) with a mean temperature of 38.3 ± 1.1°C, and otalgia (n = 28; 25.7%). The mean laboratory-tested levels of leukocytes and C-reactive protein at the time of hospital admission were 15.96 ± 8.7/nl and 59.6 ± 54.0 mg/L, respectively. During winter, there was a higher prevalence of AM, with peak hospital admissions in April (n = 22). The most common pathogen was Streptococcus pyogenes (32 cases). Treatment was purely conservative in four cases, whereas the remaining cases underwent surgery (41× grommet insertion, 64× plus mastoidectomy). The outcome was generally good, but in eight patients a second surgical procedure had to be performed as they showed signs of clinical deterioration. A total of 101 patients were treated according to the proposed algorithm, and all of which had a good outcome without the need for further interventions. CONCLUSION: Based on clinical experience in a large cohort of pediatric AM patients, a novel diagnostic and treatment algorithm has been developed and successfully tested in a retrospective cohort for AM in children to prevent further complications and to ease its management by pediatricians and otorhinolaryngologists in the emergency setting.

Complications of acute mastoiditis in a paediatric population at a UK Tertiary Centre: A retrospective review.

OBJECTIVES: Acute mastoiditis (AM) and its associated intra and extracranial complications are rare complications of acute otitis media. However, they are associated with a high morbidity. The management of AM with complications carries significant variations in approach. We aimed to evaluate the presentation of children with AM with complications to a tertiary referral centre in the United Kingdom and describe evolution of the treatment approaches. METHODS: We undertook a retrospective chart review of all children admitted with AM to the University Hospitals of Leicester between 2013 and 2022. RESULTS: Twenty-seven children were included in this study: 7 patients had sigmoid sinus thrombosis (SST), 4 had an intracranial collection, 3 had cranial nerve palsy and 16 had a subperiosteal abscess (SPA); some patients had more than 1 complication. In this study, treatment of SPA with incision and drainage (I&D) and grommet insertion was effective, as all patients treated with grommet insertion and I&D recovered well and did not require a subsequent cortical mastoidectomy. All patients with SST received anticoagulation and intravenous (IV) antibiotics; surgical input consisted of grommet insertion alone and cortical mastoidectomy was not routinely performed in these patients. CONCLUSION: In our series, management of SPA with grommet insertion and drainage had good outcomes. SST management mainly consisted of IV antibiotics, anticoagulation and grommet insertion with good recovery. The evidence to guide the management of complications of mastoiditis is of poor quality and further research is needed to clarify the optimal management of these complications.

[Increased rate of complications of pediatric acute otitis media and sinusitis in 2022/2023]. / Häufung von Komplikationen der akuten Otitis media und Sinusitis bei Kindern 2022/2023.

BACKGROUND: Acute mastoiditis and orbital complications of acute rhinosinusitis are among the most common complications of pediatric infections in otolaryngology. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to investigate the frequency of pediatric acute mastoiditis in the setting of acute otitis media as well as pediatric orbital complications in the setting of acute rhinosinusitis. Data from before the pandemic were compared to data after the end of the COVID-19 restrictions. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Included were hospitalized children who presented with acute mastoiditis from acute otitis media or with orbital complications from acute rhinosinusitis during the period from April 2017 to March 2023. Compared were three periods using descriptive statistics: April 2017 to March 2020 (before the pandemic in Germany), April 2020 to March 2022 (during the contact restrictions of the pandemic), and April 2022 to March 2023 (after the contact restrictions were lifted). RESULTS: A total of 102 children (43 with acute mastoiditis, 42%, and 59 with orbital complications of acute sinusitis, 58%) were included. During the 2022/2023 period, more than twice as many children with acute mastoiditis and approximately three times as many children with orbital complications of acute rhinosinusitis were hospitalized compared to the average of the periods 2017/2018, 2018/2019, and 2019/2020. In the 2021/2022 period, the number of these patients was below the average of previous years. CONCLUSION: This year's seasonal cluster of upper respiratory tract infections is associated with a higher-than-average incidence of orbital complications and mastoiditis.

ISOM 2023 research Panel 4 - Diagnostics and microbiology of otitis media.

OBJECTIVES: To identify and review key research advances from the literature published between 2019 and 2023 on the diagnosis and microbiology of otitis media (OM) including acute otitis media (AOM), recurrent AOM (rAOM), otitis media with effusion (OME), chronic suppurative otitis media (CSOM) and AOM complications (mastoiditis). DATA SOURCES: PubMed database of the National Library of Medicine. REVIEW METHODS: All relevant original articles published in Medline in English between July 2019 and February 2023 were identified. Studies that were reviews, case studies, relating to OM complications (other than mastoiditis), and studies focusing on guideline adherence, and consensus statements were excluded. Members of the panel drafted the report based on these search results. MAIN FINDINGS: For the diagnosis section, 2294 unique records screened, 55 were eligible for inclusion. For the microbiology section 705 unique records were screened and 137 articles were eligible for inclusion. The main themes that arose in OM diagnosis were the need to incorporate multiple modalities including video-otoscopy, tympanometry, telemedicine and artificial intelligence for accurate diagnoses in all diagnostic settings. Further to this, was the use of new, cheap, readily available tools which may improve access in rural and lowmiddle income (LMIC) settings. For OM aetiology, PCR remains the most sensitive method for detecting middle ear pathogens with microbiome analysis still largely restricted to research use. The global pandemic response reduced rates of OM in children, but post-pandemic shifts should be monitored. IMPLICATION FOR PRACTICE AND FUTURE RESEARCH: Cheap, easy to use multi-technique assessments combined with artificial intelligence and/or telemedicine should be integrated into future practice to improve diagnosis and treatment pathways in OM diagnosis. Longitudinal studies investigating the in-vivo process of OM development, timings and in-depth interactions between the triad of bacteria, viruses and the host immune response are still required. Standardized methods of collection and analysis for microbiome studies to enable inter-study comparisons are required. There is a need to target underlying biofilms if going to effectively prevent rAOM and OME and possibly enhance ventilation tube retention.

Evolving microbial patterns of acute mastoiditis in pediatric patients undergoing mastoidectomy.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the microbial patterns and clinical outcomes of pediatric patients undergoing mastoidectomy for acute coalescent mastoiditis and to identify factors associated with poor outcomes and/or prolonged treatment. STUDY DESIGN: Monocentric retrospective cohort study. SETTING: Tertiary referral pediatric hospital in Indiana. METHODS: By cross-referencing database data from the Pediatric Health Information System (PHIS) querying for all inpatient stays (patients younger than eighteen) with a diagnostic code of mastoiditis between January 1st, 2010 and August 31, 2019, and the electronic health record (Cerner) for Riley Hospital for Children, 46 patients with mastoidectomy were included. A two-tailed T-test was used to evaluate continuous parametric data. Statistical significance was determined as P < 0.05. For continuous variables, data was analyzed using continuous logistic regression. A criteria of p > 0.1 was used for inclusion in the multivariate regression. RESULTS: Inclusion criteria was met by 46 patients. From 2010 to 2019, S. pyogenes and S. pneumoniae were the most common bacteria, each isolated in 11 of 42 bacterial isolates (26.2%). There was no growth in 35.4% (17/48) of intra-operative wound cultures. On univariate analysis, patients with negative cultures had longer length of hospital stay (LOS) (7.7 days [6.5] vs. 4.3 [2.8]; p = 0.018) as well as higher rates of PICC (peripherally inserted central catheter) placement (53.3% vs. 19.4%; p = 0.021). There was a statistically significant difference in terms of gender (p = 0.021), with 15 males and 16 females in the positive culture cohort and 13 males and 2 females in the negative culture cohort. On multivariate analysis, which included gender, PICC placement, both intracranial and extracranial complications, duration of antibiotics, and LOS, female gender was the only significant predictor of positive culture status (p = 0.039). CONCLUSION: S. pyogenes and S. pneumoniae were the predominant etiologic agents in acute coalescent mastoiditis between 2010 and 2019, and negative wound cultures were associated with worse clinical outcomes.

Surgical management of mastoiditis with intratemporal and intracranial complications in children. Outcome, complications, and predictive factors.

INTRODUCTION: Intratemporal or intracranial complications of acute mastoiditis are often of significant severity, can be life-threatening, and require prompt and usually aggressive treatment. This study focused on analyzing the outcomes and complications of different surgical techniques used in intracranial and intratemporal complications of acute mastoiditis, the most common complication of acute otitis media. METHODS: A retrospective study of pediatric patients with mastoiditis with intratemporal and intracranial complications was designed at the Niño Jesús University Children's Hospital in Madrid, Spain, from 2005 to 2021. RESULTS: Of 417 patients with mastoiditis, 112 patients developed intratemporal and intracranial complications, with subperiosteal abscess being the most frequent complication. The most frequently isolated pathogens were Streptococcus pneumoniae, Streptococcus pyogenes, and Fusobacterium necrophorum. The most used surgical technique was myringotomy with placement of transtympanic drainage, in 86.6% of all cases. In patients with intracranial complications, neurosurgical procedures were necessary for 19.2%, with craniotomy with mastoidectomy being the most frequent. Most of the cases evolved favorably, and only 5.4% of the patients required surgical reintervention, being more frequent in intratemporal complications. In terms of complications, we found cases of neutropenia in 3.6%, neurological sequelae in 5.4%, and permanent hearing loss in 2.7%. CONCLUSIONS: There was a favorable evolution with a low incidence of reoperation and sequelae within our series. The surgical technique of choice correlated with the severity of the complication. If the mean size of the abscess exceeds 20 mm, incision and drainage, along with myringotomy and tube placement, should be considered as the initial treatment. Closed mastoidectomy should be reserved for deteriorating of clinical evolution or acute mastoiditis with intracranial complications. Intracranial and multiple concomitant complications were associated with a more extended hospital stay, ICU occupancy, neurosurgical intervention, and risk of neurological sequelae and neutropenia. Conversely, intratemporal complications may result in permanent hearing loss.

Acute mastoiditis in children: A tertiary care center experience in 2015-2021.

Background: Acute mastoiditis is a suppurative infection of mastoid air cells and is the most common intratemporal complication of otitis media. Aim: This study aimed to evaluate the demographic and clinical characteristics and treatment outcomes of children with acute mastoiditis (AM). Patients and Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of hospitalized pediatric patients aged between 1 month and 18 years with a diagnosis of AM between May 2015 and December 2021. Results: A total of 28 hospitalized children with AM were enrolled in this study, of whom 22 (78.6%) were males and 6 (21.4%) were females with a mean ± standard deviation age of 93.5 ± 53.2 months (range = 6 months-16.1 years). The most common clinical symptoms were postauricular erythema (n = 17, 60.7%), tenderness (n = 16, 57.1%), swelling (n = 14, 50%), fever (n = 14, 50%), and auricular protrusion (n = 7, 25%). Mastoiditis complications occurred in 10 (35.7%) children. The most common extracranial complication was subperiosteal abscess (n = 8, 28.6%). The erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) and the rate of antibiotic use before hospitalization were higher in patients with complicated mastoiditis (P = 0.006 and P = 0.039, respectively). Surgery was performed in 12 (42.9%) patients. Statistically, more surgical interventions were performed in patients who developed complications (P = 0.003). Conclusion: AM continues as an important disease of childhood. Successful results are obtained with systemic antibiotic therapy and additional surgical intervention as necessary. A careful evaluation of patients with a high ESR and those who received antibiotic therapy before hospitalization is appropriate due to the correlation between these factors and the risk of complication development.

Neurosurgical outcomes of pediatric cerebral venous sinus thrombosis following acute mastoiditis: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVE: Neurosurgical outcomes are not well defined in the management of pediatric patients with cerebral venous sinus thrombosis (CVST) following acute mastoiditis. Specific notable sequelae are otogenic (otitic) hydrocephalus and CVST management. Correspondingly, the aim of this study was to integrate the currently published metadata to summarize these outcomes. METHODS: Electronic searches were performed using the Ovid Embase, PubMed, Scopus, and Cochrane databases from inception to November 2022 following Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. Cohort-level data were then abstracted for analysis for appropriate pediatric patients. Outcomes were pooled by random-effects meta-analyses of proportions where possible. RESULTS: Twenty-three study cohorts describing 312 pediatric patients with otogenic CVST were included. At a cohort level, the median patient age was 6 years among 181 boys (58%) and 131 girls (42%). Modeling indicated papilledema at presentation in 46% of cases (95% CI 30%-62%). Regarding management, antibiotics were applied universally in all cases, mastoidectomy or other otologic surgery was performed in 91% (95% CI 82%-98%), and prophylactic anticoagulation was administered in 86% (95% CI 75%-95%). There was only 1 case (0.3%) of postprocedural intracranial hemorrhage, and there were no deaths reported among all studies. Although diagnostic lumbar puncture was performed in 14% (95% CI 3%-28%) at presentation, clinical otogenic hydrocephalus was ultimately suspected in 31% (95% CI 14%-49%), and acetazolamide was given in 65% (95% CI 35%-91%) overall. There were 10 cases (3%) that proceeded to permanent CSF diversion in the form of ventricular shunting. At a median follow-up of 8 months among all studies, the venous sinus was completely recanalized in 67% (95% CI 53%-79%). CONCLUSIONS: Most CVSTs following acute mastoiditis will recanalize with the standard use of antibiotics, otologic surgery, and anticoagulation, with minimal symptomatic hemorrhage risk. However, an appreciable proportion of these patients will develop symptomatic otogenic hydrocephalus, and it is imperative that the appropriate surveillance and workup is performed to fully optimize patient outcomes long-term. The possible need for permanent CSF diversion should be recognized.

Petrous Carotid Artery Thrombosis in an Immunocompromised Patient Presenting With Mastoiditis, A Case Report.

OBJECTIVES: The neurotologic literature commonly describes venous sinus thrombosis as a complication of mastoiditis. However, thrombosis of the internal carotid artery in the setting of mastoiditis is rarely described. We aim to document a case of carotid artery thrombosis in a patient presenting with mastoiditis. METHODS: We describe this case and review relevant literature. RESULTS: A renal transplant patient was transferred to our hospital with a left middle cerebral artery (MCA) infarct due to acute mastoiditis. Examination demonstrated middle ear effusion and radiologic workup confirmed mastoid infection adjacent to the site of arterial thrombosis. During cortical mastoidectomy and facial recess approach to the middle ear, the petrous carotid bone was found to be dehiscent with pneumatization of the petrous apex. Thrombosis was found to resolve following surgery, IV antibiotics and anticoagulation. Clinically, his focal neurological deficits improved. Proximity of the infectious process to an exposed petrous carotid artery supports the hypothesis that this patient's thrombus was a product of infectious spread and extra-luminal compression. CONCLUSION: To our knowledge, this is the first report of MCA infarction due to petrous ICA arterial thrombus in the setting of mastoid infection. The patient's immunocompromised state may have predisposed and contributed to the adverse outcome. We advocate for aggressive management of acute mastoiditis in the immunocompromised to prevent or manage complications (such as venous thrombophlebitis as well as ICA thrombus) as these patients don't show typical signs of infection and inflammation.

Facial canal dehiscence, dural exposure, and labyrinthine fistula in middle ear cholesteatoma and mastoiditis.

PURPOSE: To analyze the prevalence and associations of facial canal dehiscence (FCD), dural exposure, and labyrinthine fistula in chronic otitis media (COM) with and without cholesteatoma. METHODS: This was a retrospective study performed in an academic medical center. Patients who received tympanoplasty with mastoidectomy for COM with and without cholesteatoma were included. The prevalence of FCD, dural exposure, and labyrinthine fistula in COM with and without cholesteatoma (mastoiditis) and their relationships were analyzed. RESULTS: A total of 189 patients, including 107 (56.6%) females and 82 (43.4%) males, with 191 ears were included. There were 149 cases (78.0%) of cholesteatoma and 42 patients (22.0%) with mastoiditis. FCD was noted in 27.5% of patients with cholesteatoma and 9.5% of patients with mastoiditis. Dural exposure was found in 21 patients (14.1%) with cholesteatoma and 4 patients (9.5%) with mastoiditis. Eleven patients (7.4%) with cholesteatoma and 1 patient (2.4%) with mastoiditis had labyrinthine fistula. Patients with a labyrinthine fistula had nearly a fivefold greater chance (OR = 4.924, 95% CI = 1.355-17.896, p = 0.015) of having FCD than those without a fistula. There was a positive correlation between dural exposure and labyrinthine fistula (P = 0.011, Fisher's exact test). CONCLUSION: FCD, dural exposure, and labyrinthine fistula are common complications in COM. These complications are more frequently observed in patients with cholesteatoma than in patients with mastoiditis. Surgeons should pay more attention to the treatment of COM.

Paediatric otogenic sinus venous thrombosis: the role of Fusobacterium necrophorum.

Objectives: Sinus venous thrombosis (SVT) is a rare complication of acute otitis media (AOM) with acute mastoiditis (AM), which during recent years has been associated with Fusobacterium necrophorum (Fn) infection. Our objective was to review clinical, microbiologic, and hematologic features of paediatric otogenic SVT, with a specific focus on the role of Fn. Methods: A retrospective database review in a tertiary paediatric hospital between 2000-2019. Results: Fifty children aged 6-155 months were treated for AM with SVT. Forty-seven (94%) underwent cortical mastoidectomy. Forty-six children received low-molecular-weight heparin (LMWH). Follow-up imaging revealed recanalisation in 92% of cases. No long-term neurologic or haematologic complications were observed. Since 2014, when anaerobic cultures and PCR were routinely used in our institute, Fn was isolated from 15/21 children with SVT. Their time to recanalisation was longer, and the rate of lupus anticoagulant antibodies (LAC) was higher than in the 6 non-Fn patients. Children positive for LAC also had a longer time to recanalisation. Conclusions: Fn is a common pathogen in AM with SVT; its thrombogenic role was demonstrated by a higher prevalence of LAC and a longer time to recanalisation.

[Rare observation of petrositis complicated by parapharyngeal abscess in an 8-year-old patient]. / Redkoe nablyudenie petrozita, oslozhnennogo parafaringeal'nym abstsessom, u patsienta 8 let.

A clinical case of diagnosis and treatment of an 8-year-old patient with bilateral acute suppurative otitis media (ASOM) complicated by left mastoiditis and petrositis is presented. By itself, such a rare complication of ASOM as petrositis manifested itself not in the form of the classic Gradenigo triad, but as a parapharyngeal abscess (PPA), due to the destruction of the lower wall of the temporal bone pyramid. Complications arose as a result of contact and hematogenous pathways for the spread of the infection, which debuted in the middle ear cavities 1 month before the patient was admitted to the hospital. The combination of factors such as an aggressive pathogen, the anatomical structure of the middle ear, a decrease in the immune reactivity of the child's body, the spread of infection through the lower cells of the temporal bone pyramid and the lack of timely antibiotic therapy, led to destructive changes in the bony walls of the temporal bone and the spread of a purulent process to the temporal pyramid bones, and then to the parapharyngeal space. The destruction by inflammation of the lower wall of the pyramid of the temporal bone led to the development of PPA, and not meningoencephalitis, which could have fatal consequences.

Epidemiology and variability in management of acute mastoiditis in children.

BACKGROUND: To evaluate the epidemiology, management and outcome of acute mastoiditis (AM) in children and to improve strategies for antimicrobial stewardship. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective observational study of children aged >6 months to ≤18 years of age admitted to a tertiary care hospital with AM over an 8-year period (2011-2019). Electronic medical records were reviewed to collect data. RESULTS: A total of 129 patients met inclusion criteria for AM during this time period. Eighty-one (63 %) were males with 110 (81 %) White and 67 (52 %) non-Hispanic. The median age at presentation was 6.4 years (3-10.1 years). Ear protrusion was associated with reduced odds of having AM with intracranial extension (ICE) (OR 0.307, 95 % CI = 0.107-0.883) whereas presence of headaches and/or neck pain increased the odds of having AM with ICE (OR = 3.96, 95%CI 1.29-12.1). The most common etiologies were Streptococcus pyogenes (n = 23, 19.2 %), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (n = 20, 17 %), and Streptococcus pneumoniae (n = 15, 12.5 %). Empiric antibiotic selection and duration of therapy was highly variable. The most common empiric antibiotic used was intravenous vancomycin with a third generation cephalosporin (n = 45, 34.8 %). Majority completed course (n = 92; 73 %) with an oral antibiotic. Shorter (≤10 and ≤14 days) versus longer courses (>10 and >14 days) did not affect readmission rates for AM without ICE. CONCLUSION: There is high variability of treatment of AM in children. Broad spectrum antibiotics, especially vancomycin were used most frequently despite low rates of Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus aureus. The use of antibiotic stewardship is essential for judicious antibiotic use.

A Systematic Review of Cases with Bezold's Abscess.

OBJECTIVE: The objective for this systematic review is to characterize clinical presentations of Bezold's abscesses to improve awareness and promote earlier diagnoses and prompt intervention in this increasingly rare otologic infection. DATA SOURCES: Pubmed/Medline, CINAHL (EBSCOhost), and Web of Science articles in all languages were searched. STUDY SELECTION: Inclusion criteria were that the article was either a case report, case series, or retrospective review with individual case data available. Non-English articles were excluded if they lacked an English language abstract and if that abstract lacked information on baseline demographics, clinical presentation, and management. DATA EXTRACTION: Included studies were evaluated using fulltext review and demographics, etiology, microbiology, antibiotic usage, and surgical variables were collected. DATA SYNTHESIS: Data were qualitatively synthesized, with means and averages obtained for all continuous variables. CONCLUSIONS: Bezold's abscess remains a rare otologic infection, but they are relatively commonly associated with serious neurologic and systemic complications. Delay in diagnosis was a frequent commonality and diagnostic vigilance is tantamount in avoiding this sequelae. Aggressive surgical extirpation and long-term antibiotic treatment is recommended.