[Actinomycosis in temporal bone. A pediatric case report]. / Actinomicosis en el hueso temporal. Reporte de un caso pediátrico.

Actinomycosis is an infection caused by a Gram-positive, filamentous anaerobic bacillus. Mainly belonging to the human commensal flora of the oropharynx, it normally colonizes the human digestive and genital tracts and the bronchial tree. It is slightly frequent in the temporal bone. Bacterial cultures and pathology are the cornerstone of diagnosis, but particular conditions are required in order to get the correct diagnosis. Prolonged bacterial cultures in anaerobic conditions are necessary to identify the bacterium and typical microscopic findings include necrosis with yellowish sulfur granules and filamentous Gram-positive fungal-like pathogens. Patients with actinomycosis require prolonged (6- to 12-month) high doses of penicillin G or amoxicillin, but the duration of antimicrobial therapy could probably be shortened in patients in whom optimal surgical resection of infected tissues has been performed. A pediatric patient with actinomycosis in temporal bone who needed surgery resolution is reported.

La actinomicosis es una infección causada por un bacilo anaerobio Gram-positivo, filamentoso, ramificado, no esporulado. Integra la flora habitual de la orofaringe y coloniza transitoriamente el tracto gastrointestinal, genital femenino y el árbol bronquial. Es poco frecuente en el hueso temporal. Por su semejanza a un hongo, es difícil su reconocimiento, lo que hace necesaria la sospecha clínica para obtener los cultivos apropiados en condiciones anaeróbicas en forma prolongada. Los hallazgos microscópicos típicos incluyen necrosis con gránulos de azufre amarillento y la presencia de filamentos que se asemejan a infecciones fúngicas. El tratamiento requiere de elevadas y prolongadas dosis de antibiótico con penicilina o amoxicilina, entre 6 y 12 meses. La duración de la terapia antimicrobiana podría ser reducida en pacientes que han sido operados quirúrgicamente. Se presenta, a continuación, un caso clínico de actinomicosis en el hueso temporal en un paciente pediátrico que requirió tratamiento quirúrgico para su resolución.

Otopathologic Analysis of Patterns of Postmeningitis Labyrinthitis Ossificans.

OBJECTIVE: Labyrinthitis ossificans (LO) may occur following meningitis and, in cases where cochlear implantation is indicated, complicate electrode insertion. LO is critical to identify for successful cochlear implantation, and histopathology is more sensitive than imaging for identification of LO. Herein we utilize otopathologic techniques to study the timing and location of intracochlear tissue formation following meningitic labyrinthitis (ML). STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective review. SETTING: Academic institution. METHODS: Temporal bone specimens with a history of bacterial ML were histologically evaluated. The location and extent of intracochlear tissue formation within the scala tympani (ST) and scala vestibuli (SV) were graded, and spiral ganglion neurons were counted. RESULTS: Fifty-one temporal bones were identified: 32 with no intracochlear tissue formation, 9 with fibrosis alone, and 10 with LO. Fibrosis was identified as early as 1.5 weeks after ML, while ossification was found only in specimens that survived multiple years after ML. All LO cases showed ossification of the ST at the round window membrane (RWM) with continuous extension throughout the basal turn. Extent of SV ossification correlated with that in the ST but showed frequent isolated distal involvement of the cochlea. Spiral ganglion neuron counts were lower than those in age-matched controls. CONCLUSION: In this human temporal bone study, we found that postmeningitic LO results in ossification at the RWM with continuous extension into the ST of the basal turn and variable involvement of the SV. Identification of a patent basal turn beyond RWM ossification of the ST should permit full electrode insertion. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Retrospective review.

A retrospective review and multi-specialty, evidence-based guideline for the management of necrotising otitis externa.

BACKGROUND: Necrotising otitis externa is a progressive infection of the external auditory canal which extends to affect the temporal bone and adjacent structures. Progression of the disease process can result in serious sequelae, including cranial nerve palsies and death. There is currently no formal published treatment guideline. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to integrate current evidence and data from our own retrospective case series in order to develop a guideline to optimise necrotising otitis externa patient management. METHODS: A retrospective review of necrotising otitis externa cases within NHS Lothian, Scotland, between 2013 and 2018, was performed, along with a PubMed review. RESULTS: Prevalent presenting signs, symptoms and patient demographic data were established. Furthermore, features of cases associated with adverse outcomes were defined. A key feature of the guideline is defining at-risk patients with initial intensive treatment. Investigations and outcomes are assessed and treatment adjusted appropriately. CONCLUSION: This multi-departmental approach has facilitated the development of a succinct, systematic guideline for the management of necrotising otitis externa. Initial patient outcomes appear promising.

An Unusual Complication of Otitis Media: Luc's Abscess.

Luc's abscess is an extremely rare complication of otitis media, caused by the spread of the middle ear infection to the subperiosteal area and its accumulation beneath the temporal muscle. Unlike other subperiosteal abscesses relating to otitis media, infection may not be associated with mastoid bone involvement. Therefore, it is defined as a benign complication of otitis media. However, its rare occurrence may lead to delayed diagnosis and treatment. Here we report a case of an 11-year-old boy diagnosed with Luc's abscess with mastoid involvement. We discuss its clinical presentation and treatment with a review of the literature.

Mandibular Coronoidectomy Could Significantly Accelerate the Healing Process of Infratemporal Fossa Abscess.

PURPOSE: Management of an infratemporal fossa abscess (IFA), which is a specific form of severe and advanced deep fascial space infection (DFI), is based mainly on traditional methods. The purpose of this study was to investigate the role of mandibular coronoidectomy in accelerating IFA healing. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This research is a single-center retrospective study composed of 23 patients with IFA. The predictor variables were gender, age, diabetes, severity score, and mandibular coronoidectomy. The outcome variables included hospitalization time (HT) and irrigating time (IT). A comparison of treatment outcomes between the improved and traditional surgical interventions for IFA was performed. RESULTS: Compared with patients who did not receive mandibular coronoidectomy (NC group; HT, 17.54 ± 1.80 days; IT, 38.54 ± 3.73 days), patients who underwent mandibular coronoidectomy (AC group) had significantly decreased HT (7.20 ± 1.19 days) and IT (15.10 ± 1.27 days; P < .01). In addition, 4 patients (31%) in the NC group received reoperation for osteomyelitis, whereas no osteomyelitis and DFI recurrence occurred in the AC group. CONCLUSIONS: Mandibular coronoidectomy with extra intraoral drainage could considerably accelerate the healing process of IFAs and obviously decrease the reoperation rate for osteomyelitis.

Neutrophil Extracellular Traps and Fibrin in Otitis Media: Analysis of Human and Chinchilla Temporal Bones.

Background: Bacterial resistance in acute otitis can result in bacterial persistence and biofilm formation, triggering chronic and recurrent infections. Objective: To investigate the middle ear inflammatory response to bacterial infection in human and chinchilla temporal bones. Design, Setting, and Participants: Six chinchillas underwent intrabullar inoculations with 0.5 mL of 106 colony-forming units (CFUs) of Streptococcus pneumoniae, serotype 2. Two days later, we counted bacteria in middle ear effusions postmortem. One ear from each chinchilla was processed in paraffin and sectioned at 5 µm. The opposite ear was embedded in epoxy resin, sectioned at a thickness of 1 µm, and stained with toluidine blue. In addition, we examined human temporal bones from 2 deceased donors with clinical histories of otitis media (1 with acute onset otitis media, 1 with recurrent infection). Temporal bones had been previously removed at autopsy, processed, embedded in celloidin, and cut at a thickness of 20 µm. Sections of temporal bones from both chinchillas and humans were stained with hematoxylin-eosin and immunolabeled with antifibrin and antihistone H4 antibodies. Main Outcome Measures: Histopatological and imminohistochemical changes owing to otitis media. Results: Bacterial counts in chinchilla middle ear effusions 2 days after inoculation were approximately 2 logs above initial inoculum counts. Both human and chinchilla middle ear effusions contained bacteria embedded in a fibrous matrix. Some fibers in the matrix showed positive staining with antifibrin antibody, others with antihistone H4 antibody. Conclusions and Relevance: In acute and recurrent otitis media, fibrin and neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) are part of the host inflammatory response to bacterial infection. In the early stages of otitis media the host defense system uses fibrin to entrap bacteria, and NETs function to eliminate bacteria. In chronic otitis media, fibrin and NETs appear to persist.

An intriguing case of locked jaw secondary to melioidosis.

A 56-year-old woman presented with fever, pain and restriction of movement of the right temporomandibular joint. She was premorbidly diagnosed to have type 2 diabetes mellitus and rheumatoid arthritis. Local examination revealed a poorly demarcated severely tender, erythematous swelling in the right preauricular region. All haematological and biochemical investigations were within normal limits. MRI of the neck revealed the presence of a masticator space infection with intramuscular abscess involving the masseter and the temporalis muscles along with intracranial extension. Osteomyelitic changes were detected in the right mandibular condyle, temporal bone and in the temporomandibular joint. Melioidosis was suspected due to this unique clinical presentation of an abscess at an unusual and atypical site. Blood cultures identified the Gram-negative bacilli Burkholderia pseudomallei, which established the diagnosis of Melioidosis. Remarkable improvement was attained with antibiotics meropenem and cotrimoxazole, deferring the need for any surgical intervention.

Osteomielitis por Yokenella regensburgei después de una craneotomía en una paciente inmunocompetente / Osteomyelitis due to Yokenella regensburgei following craniotomy in an immunocompetent patient

Yokenella regensburgei es un bacilo Gram negativo de la familia Enterobacteriaceae, que puede encontrarse en agua de pozos, alimentos y en el tubo digestivo de insectos y reptiles. Aunque se ha aislado de muestras provenientes de seres humanos, pocas veces se ha reportado como causante de infección y, en tales casos, especialmente en pacientes inmunosuprimidos. Se presenta aquí el primer caso de osteomielitis secundaria a una infección por Y. regensburgei en una paciente inmunocompetente después de un procedimiento quirúrgico.

The gram-negative bacillus Yokenella regensburgei (of the Enterobacteriaceae family) can be found in groundwater and foodstuffs, as well as the digestive tracts of insects and reptiles. Although it has been isolated from humans since its original description, it has rarely been reported as a cause of infection, and then, only in immunosuppressed patients. We report the first case of post-surgical secondary osteomyelitis due to Y. regensburgei in an immunocompetent woman who had undergone a craniotomy.

Complicated actinomycosis of the temporal bone: A historical case report.

INTRODUCTION: Actinomycosis is a chronic infection caused by anaerobic Gram-positive bacteria belonging to the Actinomyces family. The zones of predilection of this infection are mainly the head, neck and abdominal regions. CASE REPORT: We report the case of a 30-year-old man admitted for aggressive right oto-mastoiditis complicated by facial nerve palsy and sensorineural hearing loss. CT scan demonstrated extensive destruction of the temporal bone. The patient underwent radical mastoidectomy followed by long-term antibiotic therapy. DISCUSSION: Its non-specific symptoms and atypical course, combined with difficult isolation of the causative agent, make actinomycosis a difficult infection to diagnose. Actinomycosis very rarely involves the temporal region, as fewer than 30 cases have been reported in the literature. Treatment of this form of actinomycosis is based on surgery and prolonged antibiotic therapy. Surgical treatment is designed to reduce the bacterial load by mechanical debridement and create aerobic conditions. CONCLUSION: Compared to other cases reported in the literature, the case of temporal actinomycosis reported here was distinguished by its highly aggressive nature. Temporal actinomycosis should be suspected in the context of chronic otitis media with an atypical course. Treatment is based on a combination of surgery and antibiotics.

[Osteomyelitis due to Yokenella regensburgei following craniotomy in an immunocompetent patient]. / Osteomielitis por Yokenella regensburgei después de una craneotomía en una paciente inmunocompetente.

The gram-negative bacillus Yokenella regensburgei (of the Enterobacteriaceae family) can be found in groundwater and foodstuffs, as well as the digestive tracts of insects and reptiles. Although it has been isolated from humans since its original description, it has rarely been reported as a cause of infection, and then, only in immunosuppressed patients. We report the first case of post-surgical secondary osteomyelitis due to Y. regensburgei in an immunocompetent woman who had undergone a craniotomy.

Actinomycotic mastoiditis complicated by sigmoid sinus thrombosis and labyrinthine fistula.

Actinomyces is a rare pathogen that can be the cause of infections in the digestive and urinary tracts, skin, genitalia, and lungs, which generally have an indolent clinical course. However, in some cases these can be locally destructive and become generalized infections. Actinomyces has been previously implicated in infections of the middle ear, nasopharynx, and sinuses, occasionally causing complications such as chronic mastoiditis. Here we describe the case of a 10-year-old-male presenting with nausea, vomiting, and headache who developed intracranial complications of actinomycotic mastoiditis.

Imaging findings of atypical mycobacterial infection in the temporal bone.

Atypical mycobacterial (AM) infection of the temporal bone is rare, and its early diagnosis is critical for a good patient outcome. The imaging findings of AM infection have been only briefly reported. We present the computed tomographic and magnetic resonance findings of AM involvement of the entire temporal bone in an immunocompromised patient, and we discuss the differential diagnosis. The scattered areas of both bone sclerosis and erosion may help the radiologist suggest the diagnosis of an indolent process such as tuberculosis or AM and allow initiation of early treatment.

Clinical-scintigraphy discordance in a case of malignant external otitis.

We report the case of an immunocompromised female patient with external otitis, who developed a picture of external otitis with poor response to conventional treatment and subsequent isolation of Pseudomona Aeruginosa in the ear secretion culture. The final diagnosis was malignant external otitis. Our objective is to describe the scintigraphic findings as well as to analyze their correlation with the clinical pattern and to evaluate the possible causes of the discordance found.

Pus and free bone flaps.

OBJECT: The goal of this investigation is to describe the results of a vigorous attempt to preserve contaminated free bone flaps and avoid the problems associated with the traditional and common practice of discarding the flap, administering a course of antibiotics, and after several months, performing a cranioplasty. METHODS: Patients with clearly contaminated, free cranial bone flaps, including so-called high risk cases, were treated by meticulous debridement of the surgical bed, scrubbing, soaking, and then replacing the bone flap in its normal position, and administering a course of intravenous antibiotics. RESULTS: Fourteen patients with contaminated avascular cranial bone flaps were treated using this technique. All bone flaps were able to be preserved. Conclusions Patients with bacteriologically contaminated, free bone flaps can be treated successfully without discarding the flaps. Success is dependent upon aggressive surgical debridement and persistence.